Exhibiting at Trade Shows --- How Many Audiences do you Really Have?

There is more than one audience to consider when participating in a trade show.  We often think about sales as the true measurement of a trade show’s success, but there are other benefits too.  Trade shows also provide a dynamic environment that’s conducive to making new business contacts.  “Being at the right place at the right time,” is never truer than at a trade show.

Another important audience that attends trade shows is the media, who are always looking for the next innovative product or business solution.  You might not feel comfortable contacting them yourself or you might think that your product doesn’t merit media attention.  That’s a shame because the media can give your brand a lot of valuable exposure.

Articles, blog posts, TV and radio interviews help build credibility for your brand because a third party endorsement is believable.  Being talked about by the media makes you and your product stand out from the crowded trade show floor in a memorable way.  

While the direct ROI of a trade show is sales, it’s important to think about the other audiences you encounter and the roles they can play in building your brand’s visibility.  All three audiences: customers, business contacts and the media should be part of your next trade show strategy.  Remember, trade shows don’t just offer short term benefits but also long term too.

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Has Instagram Really Betrayed Its Users?

“You agree that a business may pay Instagram to display your photos in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions without any compensation to you.” 

This short sentence caused a wave of outrage from many users.  It was now understood that Instagram (owned by Facebook) could sell users’ photos, without consent if their account wasn’t deleted by January 19th 2013, when the new privacy settings would come into effect.  

In December AppData reported a significant drop in Instagram users. Although in Instagram’s case the drop may be partly due to the proposed policy change, many social medias witnessed a decline in users during the Christmas season. Either way, Instagram’s reputation has been tarnished since the policy changes have been exposed. Many believe that if the media hadn’t intervened, the policy changes would have gone unnoticed due to the holidays. 

The real question is, what were Instagram’s true intentions?   

While its privacy settings now state that Instagram can’t sell your photo, it can use it without your consent.    Think about it, do you want your personal photos used without your knowledge?   

This controversy has damaged Instagram’s reputation and trust is now a big question.   What will the consequences be?    Only the future will tell; however, it is clear that the media’s role is crucial in the public’s perception of a brand. 

What are your thoughts on the new policy? Will you be deleting your Instagram account? 

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What's for Dinner ?

It’s always a dilemma when you’re working, and at the end of the day you’re tired, and the question arises “what’s for dinner?”  You walk in the kitchen and open the fridge hoping for an inspiration.  So as that seldom works for me when I’m mentally drained, I thought I’d share my inspiration -- great recipe sites where all you have to do is enter the ingredients you have on hand and you have dinner options. 

So, why not check out sites like SuperCook, Recipe Matcher, Recipe Key and Yummly.  SuperCook is also a great resource because you can store the staples you keep in your kitchen—butter, salt, tomato paste etc. – so you don’t need to re-enter them every time. There’s also an “Exclusions” list so you can select individual ingredients or whole categories, like all gluten, all nuts or all meat.

So, here’s to delicious dinners in 2013!

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