Interesting Posts You May Have Missed

As usual, I’ve read a number of blog posts and newsletter articles in the last week — many of which are blog-worthy. However, I’m also neck-deep in client work and don’t have the time to thoughtfully analyze and then write about everything I read. Herewith, my quick list of blog posts and articles you may have missed.

When I don’t want to wait for a book, I buy it at my local brick and mortar Borders store. I have a Borders rewards card but have always been perplexed about their reward policy. I get reward points, but they’re good only for certain days and only in the store. So I never use them because it’s too much of a hassle. Michelle Miller at FutureNow has an excellent analysis about why Borders is selling its online bookstore — and one reason has to do with how you can’t use your points when ordering online.

The last issue of BtoB Magazine had an article, “5 Trends Worth Watching” about how B2B will begin to use widgets, mashups, and social feeds. I read that article and thought, “Hmm, none of my customers are using those things.” Great minds think alike, as they say. The Wellesley Hills Group posted an article to their blog that discusses this very issue. Titled, “Taking Advantage of Marketing and Web Technologies,” marketer Mike Shultz talks about how professional B2B service companies really need to focus on the basics, such as demonstrating value.

The other day I dropped some things off at the dry cleaners and was confronted by two signs: “We don’t accept pre-payment.” “We accept cash only.” After reading the post, “Can a restaurant hostess cause bankruptcy?” on the Simplenomics blog, I saw my dry cleaner through new eyes. They seriously need to get with the program and accept debit/credit cards. I know I use my debit card for almost all purchases now. Perhaps the next sign I’ll see is, “Going out of business.”

My colleague, Michael Brown, a B2B Business by Phone Expert, and I have been exchanging emails about the value of blogging and social media. (Check to see if I used “social media” in the right context by reading David Meerman Scott’s post.) He sent me a link to a rather excellent post, Customer Acquisition in Social Media Marketing by Emerson Direct, that talks about how to determine the success of a social media / viral campaign.

Over at Search Engine Land, Galen De Young wrote a terrific article, “Six Mistakes B2B Marketers Continue to Make with Organic Search.” This article sums up my SEO philosophy to a “T.” In fact, I could have written this article myself.

And finally, my favorite post of the week comes from Matt Cutts about “hipster PDAs.” Titled, “How to Use a Notebook: 7 Quick Tips,” Matt talks about the value of using (dare I say it?) pencil and paper to keep track of quick notes and things. Of course, some smart aleck had to post that he just records his notes to himself using his mobile phone and Jott;  Jott then sends him an SMS message, eliminating the need to carry a notebook (as if it’s a burden).

I’ll stick with the notebook and pencil, thanks.  Plus, Jott doesn’t let you draw amusing little doodles and pictures, underline or star important items, nor indulge your other old media habits.