July 16th, 2010 by Lou AmicoBy Amy Porterfield
Published July 16, 2010
Is social media taking over the web?
Just in the last year, the number of social media users has continued to climb at record speed and the audience demographics have widened. And marketers have noticed the trend.
For proof of social media’s steep rise, take a look at the number of statistics that surfaced in the last month. These findings further support what most of us already believe: Social media is only getting bigger.
75% of U.S. Households Use Social Networking
Nielson Company, in their report “Internet & Social Media Consumer Insights,” just released some impressive data on social networking activity in the U.S. The company reported Internet users spent an average of 6 hours, 13 minutes on social networking sites, just in the month of May 2010. That number was just 3 hours, 31 minutes last year.
In addition, the research showed the average U.S. worker spends almost 5.5 hours a month visiting social network sites from the office. Perhaps the efforts of many companies to ban social networks from the workplace might not be achieving the goal!
The data confirmed that Facebook is still the leading contender of social networking sites with a unique audience of 125.2 million visitors. Twitter has a unique U.S. audience of 19.1 million visitors (May 2010). This is a massive growth of more than 1,520% in the last two years!
Other interesting factoids from the Nielson study:
- 75% of all active U.S. Internet households visited a social networking site in May 2010. How does that compare globally? In April 2010, the global number was 74%—almost identical to the U.S. percentage.
- 22% of the time spent online is attributed to social networking sites.
- 20% of U.S. adults online publish or own a blog.
- 55% have at least one or more social networking profiles.
- 20% of those surveyed frequently provide advice about movies, 18% share their opinions about TV shows and 16% often advise others about music.
About the Author, Amy Porterfield
Amy Porterfield is a social media strategy consultant. Her passion is helping companies, authors and speakers create raving fans using social media and online marketing. Other posts by Amy Porterfield »
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May 3rd, 2010 by Lou Amico
At L.A. Management Company we believe in a “Holistic Approach” to web site development. You can no longer just build a web site and hope to be successful on the Internet. You need a comprehensive strategy that keeps up with the competition and improves your visibility. Your web site strategy also needs to be more interactive with your audience and content needs to be constantly evolving.
Components of a Holistic Approach include the following:
Web Development
- You need to begin with assimilating your brand across all communication platforms and that when someone visits your web site the look and feel quickly communicates your brand.
- Navigation and usability need to be carefully planned so that visitors can find the information they are looking for. You also need the programming ability to deliver a smooth and seamless experience for your visitors.
- Conversion or data capture capabilities need to be built-in so visitors don’t just use your site as a source and then move on.
- Ongoing evolution of your web site needs to be calculated into your plan, whether you move on and change to a new platform overtime or build your site on a platform that is expandable and easy to keep current as business growth, applications and technology change the requirements of what your web site should be and how it delivers communication to your clients.
Content Development
- Good copywriting is at the core off all content development. If you do not have established content or have no one in-house who can provide this service you need to hire a professional copy writer with search engine optimization (SEO) experience to develop effective, compelling content that is rich in appropriate keywords while still communicating your message in a clear and concise manner.
- Photography should be professional and whenever possible personalized to your business. Professional headshots or personnel, facilities and products help connect your clients to your business.
- Video content is exploding on the Internet and is the easiest and most effective way to communicate your value and demonstrate your products. With the advent of YouTube and other video distribution sites you can have a broadcast channel to your clients.
Web Site Marketing
- Every web site requires at least basic SEO practices to assure visibility across the various search engines. Organic SEO positioning of your web site for major keyword searches is free and raises your web sites visibility and authority over your competition.
- Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is the paid placement of ads or “sponsored links” on search engines and other online advertising channels for specific keywords or phrases. The managing of these campaigns can be difficult and costly. An experienced online marketing firm can significantly increase your effectiveness and ROI.
- Social Media is the fastest growing segment of the Internet and includes content distribution, interactive discussions, audio and video. The community aspects of social media and the ability to communicate to an audience of like minded individuals and groups makes social media an unavoidable component to any holistic online marketing campaign.
In Summary
A holistic approach to your web site development requires an ongoing, flexible and evolving platform and strategy. There are multiple components to manage and update. Whenever possible you should be directly engaged in the process. Sites with content management systems (CMS) help empower the non-technical user to update their web site and interact with visitors to the site and social media pages.
As your business and online profile grows you need to have a team of professionals that work in concert to make sure your stay up to date, deliver your message effectively and maximize return on your marketing dollars.
There is no place where opportunity is so great to reach a large audience on an affordable budget. You just need to properly plan and bring together a team of experienced professionals to assure that you take advantage of this opportunity rather than squandering the opportunity to your competition.
Tags: charlotte, holistic approach, internet marketing, marketing, nc, web site development
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February 28th, 2010 by Lou Amico
Lou Amico President of L.A. Management Company has been named one of the Top 50 Entrepreneurs in Charlotte by Business Leader Media. The award honors leaders who have made a significant impact on Charlotte’s business community.
“We are very proud that the vision for our company to provide outstanding value for our clients has helped drive our growth and that those efforts have been recognized by the business community and Business Leaders magazine.” says Lou Amico, President of L.A. Management Company.
About L.A. Management Company
L.A. Management Company specializes in video production, multimedia production, search engine marketing and organic site optimization. The company has won numerous Telly Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in advertising, film and video production, for their work. L.A. Management Company was selected as one of the Top 100 Small Businesses in North Carolina in 2009 by Charlotte Business Leader magazine. Lou Amico was named a Top 50 Entrepreneur, an Impact Business Leader and 2009 Mover & Shaker by Business Leader Media. He was also honored as a 2007 Charlotte Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalist.
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January 16th, 2010 by Lou AmicoCompany President Lou Amico and V.P. Joe Zammit are profiled in Greater Charlotte Biz magazine. 
Greater Charlotte Biz provides the business community with an effective vehicle for building greater brand awareness for products and services. The magazine keeps business executives in the Charlotte region abreast of important issues, emerging technologies, available resources, and people who help businesses operate more successfully.
With a targeted circulation of 21,000 Greater Charlotte Biz reaches a diverse range of business owners, managers, and executives from all areas including manufacturing, service, wholesale, retail, and technology.The publication also has a pass-along rate which averages six to eight additional readers per issue, reaching over 100,000 readers every month. Advertisers have quickly discovered that Greater Charlotte Biz is an excellent vehicle for reaching a broad, successful, and inquisitive audience.
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November 11th, 2009 by Lou Amico
For the second consecutive year, Business Leader Media has ranked the Top 100 Small Businesses in North Carolina. These businesses were chosen from over 284 nominations and represent companies that have demonstrated significant business achievement and community involvement within the state of North Carolina.
Business Leader limited the criteria to include only companies (1) with 100 employees or less and (2) that do the majority of their business in North Carolina. Each company’s 1-year revenue growth, 5-year revenue growth, business achievements, and community involvement were evaluated. A community vote amongst finalists was used as part of the criteria in determining the rankings 1-100.
The Top 100 rankings will be announced at the 2009 Top 100 NC Small Business Event on June 17th at the Charlotte Marriott Executive Park.
Tags: north carolina, small business
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November 11th, 2009 by Lou Amico
The Telly Awards honor the very best local, regional, and national commercials and video and film productions. The 30th Annual Telly Awards received over 15,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents.
A prestigious judging panel of 27 accomplished industry professionals, each a past Winner of a Silver Telly, the top honor, upholds the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents. Judges evaluate entries to recognize distinction in creative work – entries do not compete against each other – rather entries are judged against a high standard of merit.
In 2009 L.A. Management Company won 4 more Tellys for production of a series of informative videos for Piedmont Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, NASA, The Charlotte Chamber of commerce and a Multimedia Award for their Demo Reel CD-Rom. this brings a total of 10 Tellys in only the past 3 years.
L.A. Management Company was also chosen as a member of the Telly Silver Council.
The Silver Council is a membership based division of the Telly Awards. Members are top advertising and production professionals that have won a Silver Telly in the past, have applied for membership to the council and have been accepted. The judging panel for the Telly Awards will be chosen from the Council Members.
Tags: telly awards, winner
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