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Mark Schaefer

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Executive Director, Schaefer Marketing Solutions

124 points

Mark W. Schaefer is a nationally-recognized author, educator and business consultant. Mark has worked in global sales, PR and marketing positions for 28 years and now provides consulting services as Executive Director of Schaefer Marketing Solutions. He is an adjunct ...

Mark W. Schaefer is a nationally-recognized author, educator and business consultant. Mark has worked in global sales, PR and marketing positions for 28 years and now provides consulting services as Executive Director of Schaefer Marketing Solutions. He is an adjunct marketing professor at Rutgers University's MBA program and has advanced degrees in marketing and organizational development. Mark holds seven patents and is author of the blog {grow}, one of the Ad Age "Power 150" marketing blogs of the world.

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Aug. 4, 2011

Mark Schaefer and 2 other people answered this question

Who has the right to company branded social media accounts?

I addressed this in a blog post last year. If you really want to get aome insight into this issue, check out the comment section where some of the managers weigh in. Hope you enjoy it!
Is social media the new corporate star-maker? http://bit.ly/d8yFzZ more

Corporate Branding

July 22, 2011

Mark Schaefer and 4 other people answered this question at this roundtable

Successful Strategies in B2B Social Media [7/21 @ 11 am]

Are companies that refuse to engage in social media facing extinction?

Let's look at this another way. Social media is growing fast, but it's no longer new. If social media were such a dominating competitive force that non-users would be extinct, wouldn't we be beginning to see some signs of that by now?
In fact, I am ... more

Online Presence

June 25, 2011

Mark Schaefer and 25 other people answered this question

How much time do you spend on social media each day?

Perhaps a more accurate question is how to LIMIT your time each day! It can be an addictive time soak.
I set a time limit each day and try to group the activities so I can focus on direct customer activities. I usually catch up early ... more

May 5, 2011

Mark Schaefer and 41 other people answered this question

Assuming a blog is important to your business, how often do you write articles & post them?

Blogs are essentially a marketing tool. You are trying to influence people to do something ... subscribe, read, call, upload, etc.
Now, how can the blog support those goals?
Consistency is important for two reasons, it helps build readerhsip and it can be a powerful ... more

March 18, 2011

Mark Schaefer and 15 other people answered this question

What is the better twitter-strategy: As many as possible followers or less but valuable followers?

Twitter followers are like atoms bouncing around in a test tube. The more followers you have, the more likely they will collide to create a chemical reaction -- a business benefit.
But to create that reaction, you need a catalyst. That's meaningful content. That's how connections ... more

Information Technology

Communication Strategy

Feb. 9, 2011

Mark Schaefer and 10 other people answered this question

What are the top steps to take to ensure you're getting the best ROI for your social media efforts?

I'm a numbers guy but I also know that most companies are missing the whole point of social media. Some of the most powerful benefits can't be applied to a spreadsheet. Stuff like:
Competitive intelligence
New product ideas
Recruiting
PR
Brand awareness
Customer engagement and ... more

Focus Interactive Summit

Return on Investment

Feb. 3, 2011

Mark Schaefer recommends this answer by Regis Dudley

What are the many types of social media services, jobs, or roles?

Thanks for these insights!
How about a social media outreach worker? Like the community manager, this employee would be responsible for external relations, but not with customers or even current stakeholders; instead, this employee would work with strategists to seek out potential new stakeholders and ... more

Social Media Expert

Social Media Servies

Jan. 5, 2011

Mark Schaefer recommends this answer by Stephanie Tilton

What does "marketing departments should act like publishers" really mean?

Chris, Joe, Jose, and Jay all share great advice. I would just add a practical aspect of thinking like a publisher. What's key about publishers is that they know they can't let down their audience if they're to be seen as a trusted resource of ... more

Content Marketing

Dec. 9, 2010

Mark Schaefer and 10 other people answered this question

Social Media Marketing Trends: What are the top social media marketing trends to follow in 2011?

The biggest trend will be using social media models internally within far-flung global companies to improve connectivity and innovation.
Integration with traditional marketing will begin to fulfill its promise. So far it has been mostly talk.
Finally universities will get on board and begin offering ... more

Interactive Marketing

Dec. 1, 2010

Mark Schaefer and 7 other people answered this question

What are some ways that I can leverage my blog to form stronger relationships?

I have realized countless business benefits from the relationships I have formed through my blog community. I think the best recommendation I can provide is to remember that there is a real person behind every little avatar out there. Treat people as people not social ... more

Dec. 1, 2010

Mark Schaefer and 3 other people answered this question

2011, who has had great success creating viral marketing programs utilizing social media platforms?

Marge this is a vital question. But before you go down the path of seeking "viral," you need to examine the potential real benefits and pitfalls. If your goal is purely a short-term brand awareness kick, viral can provide some benefits. But be aware that ... more

Nov. 18, 2010

Mark Schaefer and 1 other person answered this question

How much of your work week do spend using social media and online networking for business?

Boy Adam that really is THE question when it comes to social media!
And of course the answer is "it depends." Is this the primary function of your job? Are you doing it on your own to build a persoanl brand? What are your goals ... more

Lead Generation

Nov. 18, 2010

Mark Schaefer and 8 other people answered this question

How do you come up with topics to blog about?

Here are three sure-fire ways to break up the writer's block, or should I say blogger's block?
1) Do you belong to LinkedIn forums? If not, you should. There are 600,000 groups of every type. Join a group related to your profession or industry. Look ... more

Nov. 16, 2010

Mark Schaefer and 5 other people answered this question

What are the benefits of partnering with a social marketing agency?

Let's face it. Nobody has time to keep up with all of the changes going on in the social marketplace. Our primary tools of marketing -- TV, newspaper, even email -- have remained largely unchanged for decades. Today, not only are the platforms changing at ... more

Social Marketing

Social Media Agency

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