You Can Say More by Saying Nothing at All

By now we've all seen the recent Tiger Woods debacle regarding a car accident, a woman in question, and his sudden silence on the matter. It's something that I'm sure we've all heard ad nausea, but I want to look at a different aspect to this entire story, something that focuses more on branding, online or offline. I think this incident really lays out the concept of branding in social media better than most.

Nothing has been more surprising in this entire incident than the silence that has come from a brand that has been more aware and precise with the message that is put out, the brand being Tiger Woods. In past scenarios much care and attention was given to instances where the brand was in question, or at risk of being muddied by verbal attacks. Tiger Woods could truly write the book on how to keep your "name" clean, a book that companies would be wise to read.

Refreshing Online Disconnect

After a long and refreshing break, I've come back to connect with all of you. It's always refreshing to take that break from the online world and spend time strengthening your real world relations.

Spending time with family and close personal friends helps me remember what I value most. So now that some of us are slowly returning back to the daily grind, let's reconnect and share some stories.

How can I help you achieve your success today?

Online Sites Challenge You to Dare to Care

It's been my motto for the past few months..."dare to care".

I now challenge you to do the same. Donate time, money, or items, and you can still make an impact in someone's life this holiday season.

Here are a few resources to get you started.

1. http://www.justgive.org/
2. http://www.justgiving.com/ 
3. http://www.onlineleaf.com/ (for the green enthusiasts, leave this site up and watch what happens)
4. http://www.rd.com/make-it-matter-make-a-difference/5-websites-that-will-help-you-find-your-inner-volunteer/article137609.html
5. http://www.goodsearch.com/Default.aspx

Social Site, Likaholix, Doing It Right

Using a phrase from Chris Brogan, I'd like to say that Likeaholix is "doing it right."

How so? I've seen social sites do a lot interesting things to get people to join the ranks of the online communities, but something that strikes me about Likaholix's most recent push is their efforts to do something for the greater good of the world community.

The Marriage of Traditions and Relationships in our Culture

The traditions we hold dear to us typically come from the relationship we had with our family. Growing up in my household, it was  not unusual for my family to host holday events based on our culture, memories that reflect on fondly. I specifically look at these traditions as part of what makes me who I am as a person.

I've become introspective recently due to the holiday season and look out to the network that I've developed and the relationships that have been built. How can I incorporate who I am, my culture, and my traditions with all of you? It's been an question that has come up from time to time, but moreso now as we approach Thanksgiving.

Nonprofit Tips for Better Online Experience

I was just recently interviewed (must have a subscription to view entire article) by San Antonio Business Journal on the idea of nonprofits utilizing social marketing as a way to increase their visibility and their fundraising efforts. It's a topic that has become a hot item due to the recession and the number of nonprofits fighting for smaller portions of a company's budget. The types of donations for some nonprofits have drastically shrunk due to tougher times, which makes it harder for a nonprofit to fulfill its mission. But there's hope.

Online media offers a bevy of useful opportunities for a nonprofit to expand the scope of their marketing strategy. Here are a few tips that will hopefully encourage a nonprofit to tap into the social space which will hopefully produce noticeable gains.

Social Media Redefines Friend Perceptions

The past two days I've been thinking about how social media has been changing perceptions. Inspired by the post from the Social Media Explorer, Jason Falls, "Determining Your Friends," I'm thinking about the term friends, both as it once was defined and as it stands today.

Friend was a word that I think we can all agree on, once defined a close, personal confidant that we shared our personal thoughts, ideas, and life events with. In an Interpersonal Communication course I took a few years ago I remember learning that we typically have only five true friends in our lives. Our social interactions are limited by work, responsibilities, sleep, and other needs that keep us confined to tasks. As such, we only have time to devote mental, emotional, physical and spiritual energy to five people, but that is just an average.

For My Wife

Okay, this is probably a little more personal then you'd expect on here, but my wife has done some pretty amazing things. She's my wife for one, which is job enough, but she takes care of our three amazing kids, she's a serial entrepreneur doing all sorts of tasks from virtual assistant, fashion designer, and new media content creator. I love her, she's the best part of my life and of me, and she represents all that is right in my world.

This one is for you!

Stick By You (Album Version) - Andrew Lipke

Carl's Jr Understands Community Impact

I'm a huge fan of Carl's Jr. Sure some of you may say it's just a burger place, but for me it's tied to something much more important, my memories. I spent a large part of my life in Southern California and in that time remember Carl's Jr being a favorite place of mine. In high school we'd sneak off campus to make it down the street with an upper-classman to pick up some food.

Now transplanted in Texas, I was driving almost an hour to the nearest Carl's Jr truck stop to where I lived. But now there's a Carl's up the street in Leon Valley, Texas, and here's a company that knows how to make an impact in the community. This franchise is has always put people first, embedding itself into the many social initiatives. Working with kids, local support groups, and our military are at the top of their agenda, and with what they got lined up this week, it looks like the community is welcoming them.

To top things off, the first 500 customers received free food for an entire year. (Disclaimer: I was one of the winners.) I thought it was a great way to introduce people to the product and reward those that recognize the name. There's plenty more coming in their efforts to reach out into the community and eventually take on the digital space in the local San Antonio market.

Here's a few videos of my experience, and an interview with Jason LeVecke, the CEO of MJKL Enterprises Texas.

Online Interaction Builds Digital Self Worth

The idea of self-esteem has been a topic that I've been slowly developing into a series of presentations based on some of the more tragic cases which have resulted in deaths. The topic itself is not entirely all gloom and doom, but I admit it started from the series of deaths occurring on YouTube and other video sites where people, including young children, where taking their lives.

I believe as we delve deeper into the effects of human communication due to the use of technology we're seeing a digital self worth start to form, and it does not happen to just individuals it happens to businesses to. The experience can be both good or bad, depending on a few factors:

Top 5 Podcasts for Marketers

Recently I was asked to give some recommendations for some podcasts that I listen to on a regular basis. That question alone made me realize how much I depend on my audio player. Not only do I get my news from there, but I listen to audio books, music, and of course my podcasts. Online audio is a vital part of my everyday routine since I do a lot of working at a computer, it keeps me motivated and inspired to keep moving forward.

With regards to what I do as a professional, I find that podcasts allow me to connect with other professionals as they share what works for them, industry news, and their thoughts on online media marketing as a whole. I feel a close connection with these podcasters that I don't get in any other format, it feels like they are talking to me directly.

Twitter REtweets Get REtooled

In a recent update on Twitter.com, developers had been working on a "retweet" tool that caused ripples in the community. The basis of this development came partly from the fact that retweeting did not have a consistent and easily recognizable format, and I assume for some, if not many, it was a frustrating experience.

Too many variations to retweeting such as the standard "RT" at the beginning, the post and then the "(via @...)" at the end, and finally the added value of people saying things like "Great post, must read -> RT @..." have been seen on Twitter.

Sharing Yourself With Others

One of the best things that has come out of my experiences with the network that I've built over the past year and a half, has definitely been being able to help them in their time of need. I've always been a big believer in collaborations, partnerships, working together to help elevate a project, idea, person, or cause.

I've always welcomed all comers and look forward to the many more people that I am sure to meet online via Internet networks, or in my local community. Understanding this, I gladly accepted when a mentor of mine, Jennifer Navarrete asked me to participate in a NaPodPoMo project she is working on.

This entire month of November, Jennifer is putting together a podcast for the next 30 days, releasing a new segment every single day. Sounds like a daunting task, but with experience, it's a great opportunity to explore your strengths, develop weaknesses, and overcome fears. From Jennifer's perspective she's using this opportunity to highlight people how are doing it right, similar to the section in Chris Brogan's newsletter where he highlights people doing great things in the social space.

I was honored to be among the people interviewed and here's where you can find my interview to learn a little more about Jennifer, NaPodPoMo and a little about me. But be sure to visit her site where you can catch up with others who are podcasting on some pretty amazing topics!

NaPodPoMo 08: Interview with Luis Sandoval, Jr.

Photo Credit zoomar

Internet World Lashes Out Against Web2.0?

Image via Wikipedia

A good question.

Growing up I remember there were words we used to describe new things. I'm maybe dating myself, but worlds like "rad", "awesome", "wicked", "gharly", did the job, you get the picture. Yes, I remember the 80's well, but words like that become fads and in time new words replace those descriptives, and so the cycle of human language continues.

Today's modern online communities are more conversational than ever before. Online communication is a staple in all of our lives, and as communities come together to share information new words are bound to turn up. One such word to arrive on the scene some years back was Web2.0.

Many will argue that anything attached to the 2.0 monikor is outdated and annoying. Already we're hearing rumbling of Web3.0 and the many who are predicting what the next web innovation/revolution will be.

So I ask, is there a better way to say something is 2.0? Do we need those types of descriptive words at all? It begs the question, how else do you describe new versions, updated innovations, and changes in technology?

I'm curious to hear what you all have to say, and whether the word is a fad or not, it's obvious that 2.0 has made an impact, for some it's an impact they'd rather avoid hearing mention of.