Don’t go with the flock. Five ways to thrive in today’s social media jungle with sm ace, Derek Peacock.

A meditation on thriving in this economy and beyond.

Blank Stage Productions is proud to present ThriveAMERICA. ThriveAMERICA attracts top business leaders willing to share their experience, strength and hope so that others may learn.

We invited social media wiz, Derek Peacock, owner of D. Peacock Studios, to visit the set and shed some light on the social media front. it’s a maze out there and its people like Derek who help guide us in the right direction. Derek helps his clients create a straightforward, coherent and powerful social media strategy.  These days its not just about getting onto facebook or twitter or linkedIn and thinking business will just come to you. It’s about understanding how each social media platform operates, how to link them together and the applications out there that help us do that.

LEAVE a COMMENT: Do you have any tips, strategies or resources you can share with us, particularly on the social media front? Please, let us know by leaving a comment! Do so by pressing the comment icon next to the video player above.

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Show Notes

Notes on the show are coming soon…
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Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

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About the Host:

Brent Brooks | Brent owns and operates Blank Stage Productions, an independent film production company. Blank Stage is home to “The Blank Page” a screenwriting group and “Under Budget” a producer’s network. Brent has directed three indie films to date, THE GALLON CHALLENGE, ART OF SUICIDE and BETWEEN LOVE & A HARD PLACE.

Visit: http://www.blankstageproductions.com

Contact: brent(at)blankstageproductions.com

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Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

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ThriveAMERICA

Produced by Blank Stage Productions, ThriveAMERICA is an internet video-blog show where you can come and gain invaluable insights on how to thrive in this economy… and beyond. We recently asked published Author and LinkedIn specialist, Sean Nelson, to visit the set as a guest to serve up his expertise, strength and hope. Please leave a comment by seeing the comment icon next to the main video player above and if you know of anyone who would benefit from the interview use the “share” button to share this valuable information with others.

FIVE to THRIVE:  5 Steps to Effectively Use LinkedIn

Show Notes: Sean comes in right in time.  We know very little about the powers of the social outlet, LinkedIn.  No one has covered its potential, until now. In the show Sean outlines the five effective ways to use and succeed on LinkedIn.  Follow these basic steps and you will be well on your way to making things happen on this business professional social media networking hub.  If you like what you see here please leave a comment and if you want more info about LinkedIn, take a visit to Sean’s blog.  Sean’s blog reveals specific ways or instructions on how to upload video, use applications and many more strategies.
http://linkedintuition.com/blog/

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While Sean’s blog is an awesome resource his books tie it all together in easy to read and digest format.  LinkedIn may be the only social networking resource you may ever need.

http://www.linkedintuition.com/book.html

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Link to Sean:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/seannelson

http://twitter.com/SeanENelson

http://www.facebook.com/seannelson

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find or follow or both

Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Blank Stage | YouTube

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ThriveAMERICA

Produced by Blank Stage Productions, ThriveAMERICA is an internet video-blog show where you can come and gain invaluable insights on how to thrive in this economy… and beyond. We recently asked published Author and Motivational Speaker, JaWar, to visit the set as a guest to serve up his expertise, strength and hope. Please leave a comment by seeing the comment icon next to the main video player above and if you know of anyone who would benefit from the interview use the “share” button to share this valuable information with others.

FIVE to THRIVE: Five Business Motivators

Show Notes: I thought actual sparks were going to fly when JaWar hit the room.  His positive energy was contagious.  I actually meet JaWar for the first time that day after talking to him only once the day before through Havana.  Thanks to the emerging powers of social media we learned that JaWar has become a force online and has lots to offer.  Thumbing through JaWar’s books I found they were very THROUGH and I think would be a great resource.

FIVE to THRIVE

During the show, Jawar jumps into his five business motivators that you can use to build into the essence of your business.  These are five powerful, yet simple principles that you can fuse into your business success. On a side note: We are shooting the ThriveAMERICA’s in much different format.  We are going for leaner video session and getting more produced content out there.  We hope you enjoy your time with JaWar and if you like what you hear please engage our community by leaving a comment.

Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

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Check out ALL of JaWar’s online spots and see how he is doing it!

http://twitter.com/jawar

http://www.facebook.com/jawar

http://www.gojawar.com

http://www.gomusicconnection.com

http://www.makemoneyselfpublishing.com

http://www.moneygoldmine.blogspot.com

http://www.moneyonline.blogspot.com

http://www.modelcontacts.blogspot.com

http://www.mymusicconference.blogspot.com

http://www.gojawar.blogspot.com

http://www.atlantashowcase.blogspot.com

http://www.selfpublishforprofit.blogspot.com

http://www.publisherspublishing.com

http://www.worldwidemic.com

http://www.industrypimping.com

http://www.leasebeatsmakemoney.co

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Custom Search

ThriveAMERICA is internet video blog show and my personal journey to help you thrive in this economy. We asked David Cohen, owner of Equation Arts, to come as a guest on ThriveAMERICA to share his experience, strength and hope. Press the comment ICON next to the main video player above and tell us what you think.

It was great having such a brilliant man on ThriveAMERICA talk about branding and I thought shared some powerful ways to for small business to brand themselves.

See ImprovAstorm’s at Blank Stage Studios!

Taxation Tales!

More Taxation Tales at Pro@ctive CPA. Want a FREE business tax assessment? Mention where you saw the video, and email: Mark Wyssbrod, mark(at)pro-active-cpa.com

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Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

Videos produced by Blank Stage Productions.

Interested in advertising or being a guest on ThriveAMERICA , please email interest to: info(at)blankstageproductions.com

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Our guest today on ThriveAMERICA is a keynote speaker and published author dedicated to helping organizations Produce Better Results In Less Time.  He has a real passion for helping Executives and Business Owners plan & execute Fast, Innovative Change . . . and he literally wrote the book on SPEED:  “Never Fry Bacon In The Nude: And Other Lessons From The Quick & The Dead.” Below represents a very basic summery of the interview so you might find what you need and move on. Be sure to comment on what you may have learned from this segment or list examples of how you might apply these principals in your business. Beside the video player is the comment icon.

Check out Stone on LinkedIn, see his book “Never Fry Bacon in the Nude“, visit his weekly radio program on High Velocity Radio!

Welcome to ThriveAMERICA . . . Stone Payton.

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Why so much emphasis on SPEED?

I believe in all my heart that SPEED is the most consistent and durable source of competitive advantage available to all of us, large and small.  We can all learn this principle and use it in our businesses.  What I mean here is the capacity of being able to execute fast and reliable change.  The companies that do this are thriving. Many aspects about our businesses have a very short shelf life. If you understand this principle you will dominate your marketplace.

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Accountant’s Fairy Tale!

An accountant with a sense of humor! Rare.
Pro@ctive CPA

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What has you so inspired about your work?

The companies that don’t go about leaning the concept of SPEED leave themselves open and vulnerable in three different populations: Your culture, Your competitors, and the third is coming in just a minute.  You must execute structure into the fabric of your company and personal accountability with your employees.  These people are the source.  They are acutely prescriptive…

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DISCIPLINES OF HIGH VELOCITY LEADERSHIP

We went on a journey to discover high velocity business leaders and companies and found some common distinct disciplines. Folks, here they are:

1) Structure.  Thriving companies use repeatable systems for routine tasks bringing structure to business. If you don’t have structure it will lead to confusion and diffusion in your office and people will make weird decisions.

2) Personal Accountability.  Business leaders who are thriving are very focused on taking responsibility for their corporate results. These leaders are committed to this idea of making themselves and their employees accountable in making key decisions and even encouraged to acknowledge failure.

3) Empathy.  The ability and willingness to project yourself into the minds of another group.  This can be your target audience.  Generally understand the way they think, feel and act. If you can have this discipline, it puts you in a position to predict behaviors and generate amazing results. When you predict behavior this empowers your company to do amazing things.

4) Education. Leaders who are committed to establishing learning culture will thrive in this economy.

5) Direction.  These leaders who are thriving in their organizations are extremely adept to explaining where they are going, the company’s direction, and this is transparent within the organization.  This also works its way down to the customer base.

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ThriveAMERICA is produced by Blank Stage Productions

We asked Todd Schnick owner of The Intrepid Marketing Group to come as a guest on ThriveAMERICA to share his experience, strength and hope so that other business owners might learn a new business building principal. Below represents a very basic summery of the interview so you might find what you need and move on. Be sure to comment on what you may have learned from this segment or list examples of how you might apply these principals in your business. Beside the video player is the comment icon.

Great video… “How to Blog without Killing Yourself”

BE FEARLESS
I named my company Intrepid for a reason. Be courageous, fearless and bold.  It’s OK to fail.  Don’t be afraid to fail.  I tell my clients that its OK to try new things, there are a lot of tools out there that can adapt to you. We can get too bogged down into the old mindset of test and measure.  Watson of IBM said double your rate… to fail.  Doesn’t mean too fail. You can’t be afraid to fail.  So fail. You might just land on the perfect combination of message and tactic to help your company thrive.

NEW ECONOMY
To thrive in this economy you have to get your head around the idea that marketing is changing.  Used to be, you would go to a Madison Ave. advertising firm and try and interrupt people through TV, radio and print. Marketing now is a two way street. It’s a dialogue.  It’s why blogging is more effective, social media is growing, you need to interact with your clients in this way.

COMMUNITY
Be a resource, it’s all about giver’s gain. Get involved in your community. Give back, serve, this is good marketing.  I personally give to the Atlanta Furniture Bank. This will feel good to you, and give you a sense of empowerment. Plus you get introduced to set of new people and will shed a positive light on your business.

PLAN AND PROCESS
Have a written plan.  It is amazing to me how many business owners don’t have a written plan. This is a business road map.  Just because you have a written plan doesn’t mean you can’t deviate from it. In fact I would argue that it is easier to adjust to new trends with a written plan.   If you don’t know where you are going, well then you can’t adjust to the detour if you don’t where the destination is. You have to know where you are going. Without a plan, structure you will never succeed.

CUSTOMER SERVICE
The market place has changed. Because of this two way street marketing principle, people can vent and express pleasure immediately so you have to be responsive to that.  You also have a chance to respond in kind and serve.

Contacting Todd: website ~ Intrepid and send him an email!

We asked Chad Massaker of Carceron Systems Group to come as a guest on ThriveAMERICA to share his experience, strength and hope so that other business owners might learn a new business building principal. Below represents a very basic summery of the interview so you might find what you need and move on. Be sure to comment on what you may have learned from this segment or list examples of how you might apply these principals in your business. Beside the video player is the comment icon.

WHAT IS MANAGED IT SERVICES?
This is an emerging computer support model, providing full IT service for a flat fee eliminating day to day computer related issues.  Managed IT is not designed to fix your individual lap top, but rather fix your entire network which is comprised of say 10 or more computers, a fire wall and work stations.   There is a general needs assessment and site evaluation then we produce a structured stabilization plan.  We get the computers and network up to speed, once stabilized we establish an on-going managed IT service agreement. From basic level 1 computer support to every major issue a company may face, managed IT is both preventative and proactive giving our clients a competitive advantage.  We pride ourselves in monitoring systems, providing total internet and network security, disaster recover and off site back-up. With properly managed IT you won’t have to worry about your computer or your network going down so you can focus on your business.  It is in our best interest to make sure you never call us.

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WHAT IS A NETWORK?
For our purposes we take on companies with 10 computers or more with one server or looking at add one.  The computers, the fire walls and the work stations they all comprise the infrastructure of the network.

Check out Chad’s Blog
See Chad on Linkedin and Facebook

HOW DOES MANAGED IT SAVE YOU MONEY?
We bundle most if not all the day to day computer support together with monitoring, security, back-up the list goes on…to help you afford, what looks and feels like a in-house IT service.  You’re not wasting time fixing complex issues, or trying to figure out new software.  Your IT services are now streamlined and working so you can use technology to serve you not to enslave you. If you need to downsize your company a managed IT company can step in and replace the IT staff and handle all the issues.  Carceron does not get sick, will not leave you for a better paying job, does not need benefits, the list goes on.

CHAD, HOW CAN WE THRIVE IN THIS ECONOMY?
It is about relationships, you have to dig down really deep and learn what it means to be a resource, how to connect people.  Know their pains, help them in ways they really didn’t expect and serve their needs.  You can do this through a variety of ways, for example one-to-one meetings, taking the time to get to know another business owner.  Another way is to host networking events, look at your ImprovAstorms, a great example of getting different people all together talking about business, and getting to know each other.  In the new economy coming these kinds of people will be seen as the connectors, the people to know and do business with and will come out ahead.  There is a lot of noise out there, so you have to be viewed as a connector, a person looking to give at a very deep level.  A principal many need to learn more about.

ThriveAMERICA is produced by Blank Stage Productions

FINAL THOUGHTS
I remember the first time I came to the Cobb Chamber networking event here in Marietta, GA.  Rather use this chance to talk about his business Chad used his time to invite anyone who might be interested to just go have lunch.  I mustered up the courage to go and meet with Chad and since then we have been building each others businesses as much as we can.  He more then I.  I hope to one day return the favor in a big way, but in the meantime I continue to stage Chad as the person to know in Marietta when it comes to being a resource to others.  The new economy is around the corner, where are you going to be? Think of other people you can help, and reach out to them and watch what happens.

Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

We asked Dee Doanes: Jigsaw Marketing and Services to come as a guest on ThriveAMERICA to share her experience, strength and hope so that other business owners might learn a new business building principal. Below represents a very basic summery of the interview so you might find what you need and move on. Be sure to comment on what you may have learned from this segment or list examples of how you might apply these principals in your business. Beside the video player is the comment icon.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND VIRAL MARKETING

Social media can bring your company up to speed, and fast.  Just look at the Obama campaign and see what they did.  This really put him on the map by reaching a powerful demographic. He used social media with great, great results, so you have to stay current with the social technologies. Most people will use social media destinations like facebook and LinkedIn.  Look at Dell, they set up a facebook page and they addressed much of their customer issues on their facebook site.  They used facebook as a strategy to improve their product and speak directly to their target audience.    So how can you use facebook as a strategy?  Set up a blog, a fanpage, post customer reviews, the list goes on… Don’t be annoying but be attractive.  Use video and pictures of you and your team in action.  Show that you are fun and easy to work with and that you get the job done.

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AD – WATCH THE PRO@CTIVE CPA

Pro@ctive CPA
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Check out Dee’s profile on Facebook and Linkedin.

USING SEO AND SEM EFFECTIVELY

SEO and SEM work hand in hand and deal with how you are letting Google know  about your website. So SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the science of using the right keywords to describe your website, very key.  You could have this BEAUTIFUL website but no one will come if Google can’t find it.  Google uses robots to look for WORDS not beauty.   It is really important to use the right words to make sure your customers find you.  You should have two paragraphs on your website and no more then 30 keywords in your source code.  More then then this then Google will penalize you and your site will be viewed as spam.  I am guilty of this and have used too many keywords even on this site.  Can I go back and correct this, clean up the code? Yes you can.  If you can’t do it yoursefl find a good website developer or SEO expert. Google has tools that will help you pick the right words for your website.

SEM MARKETING
List your website with online directories.  Go to Merchant Circle and Kudzu for example, these are called back links.  Links that are driving people back to your website.

E BOOK
This is something anyone can do and free to do, it is not a paperback book but used in the end as a PDF format staged on your website. Put all your ideas on paper, you can then hire a ghost writer to help you.  A great way to promote yourself and your business.  A good tip would be to give away a free sample of the book, to get them intrigued.

More info: E Books

HOW CAN WE THRIVE IN THIS ECONOMY?
People are spending money more selectively.  So you have to think of creative ways to get into that wallet. You have to stand out!  Join groups, go to seminars, educate yourself, start your own group, and/ or network with people. You have to have passion for your work and your industry. Give correct information, present it in a creative way and you will get business and get referred to others. We need more people like you!

WORKING WITH DEE
I prefer face to face meetings, 404.856.9188 is my number jsawmarketing@gmail.com is my email.

ThriveAMERICA is produced by Blank Stage Productions