The Baltic Dry Index : Signs of a More Stable Economy?

Posted on April 18, 2013 by jbraziel

The Baltic Dry Index, (though not very familiar to investors), is an interesting market indicator that measures global costs of raw material shipments between countries. Since raw materials are the basis of all other goods, the Baltic dry index can expose economic trends in global demand of such materials, which can be seen as a leading indicator for economic progress. This index is reliable because it takes a long time to build new ships for transporting. Therefore, when the index goes up it typically suggests an increase in shipping costs and an increased demand for raw materials, which often times also suggests a positive economic recovery. During the 2008 recession, the Baltic Dry Index hit historic lows, and has been recovering since, like the rest of the economy.

Since the beginning of the calendar year, the Baltic Dry Index has shown signs of an upward trend. It is interesting to note that another clue for a recovering economy comes from Claymore/Delta Global Shipping – (traded as SEA) which has also experienced an upward trend, especially in the past 6 months.

As a case study, Viral Technologies analyzed trends of social media mentions of four main raw materials: coal, grain, iron ore and cement. The intent was to see if social media would specifically give any insight on the subject. All four categories showed a stable upward trend, with a peak in velocity during the last quarter of 2012.

Using unique sentiment algorithms, Viral Technologies analyzed sentiment on over 2 million social media mentions relating to the global shipment of goods and supplies from the beginning of 2012. The results indicate that more than 60% of social media posts analyzed were positive or somewhat positive.

Viral Technologies uses untraditional methodologies in the collection and analysis of social media insights to discover leading indicators for global markets and e-commerce ecosystems.

China’s Coal Industry Enters New Markets

Posted on January 30, 2013 by jbraziel

Pay it Forward Marketing Shift

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Admin

Today’s marketing and advertising techniques are undergoing an enormous change, largely due to the integration of the internet and more recently, social media, into business plans worldwide. Plain and simple, today’s marketplace simply does not operate in the way that it used to, and the sooner companies realize this, the more successful they will be in turning profit.

A great example of this shift is the way in which traditional marketing tactics such as direct marketing, email marketing and cold calling are shifting is the emergence of what Gary Vaynerchuck, New York Times and Wallstreet Journal’s Best-selling author, calls the “Thank You Economy (TYE).” This means that in order to advertise and market to the people that you hope to reach, you have to actually “give a crap!”

The way in which the TYE is thriving is through social media. Using old tactics like direct marketing simply isn’t going to work on Facebook or Twitter, as this messaging will immediately be marked as spam, and ignored. In order to turn followers into buyers of your products/services, you need to offer them something of value whether it be through content, coupons, giveaways, or superior customer service.

The TYE works today because people are sick of dealing with automated telecommunication messages and they want to be treated as if their business matters. It also works due to human nature. What I mean by this, is that we as humans have an innate desire to “pay it forward.” We simply can’t deal with owing people, so we repay favors in order to maintain social fairness.

We can return a favor via social media through a follow, a friend, a like, or a share. Every month, 25,000,000 pieces of content are shared via Facebook. Humans for the most part like to give back, so so sharing important/funny/impactful pieces of content to their following is an extremely powerful marketing and advertising tactic.
Consumers also like to know that their opinion and their thoughts have been heard. Reacting to customer’s concerns or praises only strengthens the relationship that your brand has to its following, and if you’re are able to implement changes in order to provide a customized product to your following, then you are thriving in the TYE.

An article that I read the other day defined a very important aspect to the TYE in one word; social commerce. The author of said article stated that social commerce helps shoppers to make smart and saavy purchases so that retailers will be able to listen and adjust their product or service to fit the needs and desires of their valued customers.

In maintaining a sort of ping pong relationship with your customers and/or potential customers, you are creating a mutually beneficial engagement and that is what the TYE is all about.

Why the Social Media Job Market Needs Generation Y

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Admin

The recent target=”_blank”>article about social media and its close relation to Generation “Y” titled, “Why Social Media Managers Should Be Under the Age of 25,” by a recent University of Iowa graduate Cathryn Sloane, has received its fair share of controversy thus far, so it seems like a great time to address some of the points that this article brings up.

Sloane asked following question: Why do marketing/communication/PR firms insist that all potential candidates have 5-10 years of professional experience? In this case, isn’t social media experience in general (which she argues Generation Y has the most of) just as valuable?

It would be helpful for those looking to hire a social media manager to realize that everyone presently under the age of 25 were in various years of high school when Facebook first came out in 2004, and when Twitter was launched in 2006. Having the minimum years of experience required for most job qualifications (5 years), would plant them smack dab in the middle of sophomore/junior year of college or in freshman year of high school (10 years)! There is simply no way that this generation could have 5-10 years of experience as most job ads prefer.

Perhaps those hiring should consider what Generation Y can bring to the table, and make their hiring decisions accordingly.

Below are some of the things that Generation Y can teach older marketing and social media professionals:

1. Generation Y began using social media before businesses were bombarding it with direct sale messages and spam. We used Facebook and Twitter socially before professionally, which not many people can say.

2. We know these social platforms better than anyone because they came out when we were 15 and 16. We were right in the middle of the social shift, and it is really one of the ways with which our generation is defined.

3. We’ve known Facebook since before the timeline, the cover photo, chat and even before notifications! We’ve seen all the changes and USED all the new features so we are better equipped to predict, adapt and make use of any and all of the upcoming developments in the social media realm.

4. Those under 25 have recently graduated from college, having learned the latest marketing and social media tactics with fresh and innovative ideas that may be different from those of a seasoned professional. New ideas, no matter who they’re from, should never be overlooked.

Though the author of the original article may have simply skimmed the surface of this debate, and some of her points are undoubtedly debatable, the most important thing that she implied is that Generation Y is not getting a fair chance in the job market, especially when considering how they can help a company.

Would you considering hiring someone from Generation Y to manage your brands’ social media accounts? Why/Why not?

The Business of Social Intelligence

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Admin

4 Reasons You Need to Implement Content Marketing into Your Business Plan

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Admin

Though many believe content marketing to be a fairly new phenomenon, in actuality, the concept has been around for hundreds of years starting with the first bag of chocolate chips that gave its consumers a great recipe for baking chocolate chip cookies.

According to Susan Gunelius, author of Content Marketing for Dummies, content marketing is “the practice of developing awareness, recall, purchases and loyalty through the use of content published on or offline.”

Okay, that’s nice but how is this going to help my business to increase sales and awareness?

The fact of the matter is that content marketing is a KEY component to increasing your sales and your brand’s awareness.

Content Marketing is Key to Successful Business Plans

Here’s how:

1.Content Marketing shows your clients and potential clients that you are an authority for your subject matter. Giving unique and valuable information to your following, asking for nothing in return, is a great way to build trust and gain loyal brand ambassadors.

2.Content Marketing helps to drive traffic to your website. In creating more content in connection to your brand, you will increase your chances of showing up in a Google/Yahoo search. Well-written content also gets shared and linked to, and backlinks are one of the best ways with which to climb up the search rank ladder.

3.Content Marketing helps to build your marketing lists—a great technique in content marketing is to create fabulous content (which should always be your intent), and to ask your readers to enter their email addresses to receive your content for free. Both sides will mutually benefit from this scenario; your brand will have more email addresses to send sales collateral, newsletters and promotions, and your following will obtain valuable information free of charge.

Use opt-in feature to get email addresses from customers/potential customers

4.Content Marketing strengthens your relationships with existing and potential clients and helps you to become a greater influence within your target market.

In the last few years, big brands like Coca-Cola and Amazon have spent nearly 26% of their marketing budget on content marketing—will you hop on the content marketing train, or are you already a frequent user? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below!

Why Web Design is Integral to the Success of Your Brand

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Admin

The age old advice that our parents and grandparents have drilled into our heads, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” is nice in theory, but as hard as we try not to, the book’s cover will always be judged first.

Web design is a great example of this theory. Aesthetically pleasing and well-formatted design is judged to be more professional and more credible as a business that people would feel comfortable collaborating with.

Answer me this:

Would you rather do business with this company?

or this one?

Precisely.

Good businesses outcomes go hand-and-hand with well-designed websites and collateral. It’s so important to represent your business online and on paper in a way that you would present yourself in person to a prospective client or employee. You wouldn’t (hopefully) show up to a job interview in sweatpants and a t-shirt—exactly like you shouldn’t skimp out on the appearance of your Website because that is often the first way in which prospective clients will be introduced to your brand.

Good design helps business solve complex situations with creative solutions. To create value, remain competitive and gain customer trust and loyalty, web design is integral. Good Web design can represent your company in a multitude of ways. Say you’re a construction company that specializes in architectural exploration. Your Web site can mirror that idea by replicating the innovative and modern design style that you create in your buildings.

Creating a Website in a way that represents your company is critical in establishing your brand as a competitor and as a reputable contender in your field. Communicating this frame of mind through your Website through visual language is a great way to get the public to understand that you value your brand, and aim to portray that through each medium.

Good design is a crucial asset to your brand that is most effective when applied early in corporate business plans, not as the cherry on the sundae.

How to Get More Subscribers to your Youtube Channel: Infograph

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Admin

Viral Technologies Sponsors 4th Annual Elykssor Charity Concert

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Admin

Elykssor ClothingTM, a lifestyle clothing company owned and co-founded by Maine native Kyle Poissonnier, will host their fourth annual charity concert to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation whose mission is to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease through awareness and raising money for research/treatment.

Elykksor ClothingTM was founded in 2007. With the vision of creating a clothing line that held true meaning, Kyle partnered in 2009 with Matthew and Steven Stern to launch the lifestyle clothing brand into the realm of mainstream fashion. The brand’s mission is to inspire its audience to obtain greatness, and to “Prolong Life.” The brand’s unique, limited edition styles and focus have attracted a strong following including celebrities and professional athletes.

All of the acts performing hail from Maine and include Spose, a 26-year-old producer and emcee from Wells, who has performed with such prestigious acts as Wiz Khalifa, Drake, Weezer, Ke$ha and B.O.B, The Mallett Brothers Band who received many of the top awards at the 2011 Portland Phoenix’s Best Music Awards, The Other Bones, and Joe Gallant.

Viral Technologies is pleased to be one of the sponsors for this exciting event, and will be giving out party favors that are sure to impress. Baxter Brewing Company, also of Portland, ME, will be offering pint specials in the Baxter Lounge as the event’s chief sponsor, and Elykssor will have limited merchandise for sale on location. Peter Jensen Bissell Photography will also be bringing a photo booth for guest’s entertainment, to make sure that this fun night is well-documented.

Tickets are $13.00 in advance or $15.00 at the door and can be purchased through the Asylum’s Website here.

For more information about Elykssor, find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/elykssor or visit our website at http://www.elykssor.com/.

How Grandma and Grandpa Can Help to Grow Your Business

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Admin

Last week I was browsing the Mac store, when I bumped into an elderly person dazing emptily at his iPad. “Do you know how to turn this thing on?” he said. I looked around the table noticing at least a dozen other baby boomers raising their hand, seemingly just as perplexed, trying to get the attention of a frazzled Apple associate.

It seemed as though I had walked in on an iPad101 class. All of its students were over the age of 60.

These classes seem to be on the rise as more and more seniors are joining the digital world. With this rise comes a growing need for education. In fact, schools like Howard Community College’s Gateway Campus launched introductory courses in Facebook and Twitter for those over age 60 in September, and added a new course this past winter called “Blogging 101.”

From 2010 to 2011, the social network use among internet users over the age of 50 nearly doubled to 42%. Nearly 16 million Americans over the age of 55 now have a Facebook page…that’s a lot of Nanas on Facebook.

According to a study conducted by iStrategyLabs, a social media marketing firm, there were 15.5 million Facebook users over the age of 55, an increase of nearly 60% from the year before where the number of users over the age of 55 was at 9.7 million.

Not only are baby boomers using social media, but they are beginning to use it regularly as part of their daily routine. According to data collected by Pew Research Center only 20% of baby boomers in 2010 used social media on a daily basis. By the same time the next year, that number had risen to 32% representing a 60% increase.

A Nielsen statistic revealed that the over 55 age bracket spends a total of 85 minutes each day browsing the internet. Not only are they using it to keep in touch with their children and grandchildren, but they are also buying products within the online marketplace. Though this is significantly lower than that of the younger generation, it is important to consider the fact that this older bracket controls the majority of the economy, with a combined spending worth of more than $1.8 trillion.

As a marketer, one cannot ignore the potential that this demographic has for creating market growth. Accounting for nearly 58% of the U.S. population, the Baby Boomers make up more than half of the American population. We can capitalize on this shift in technology use by using targeted Google or Facebook advertising to this age bracket. Specific industry verticals like pharmaceuticals, doctors, or lawyers, can take advantage of this demographic by searching for people who are in need of their services. Doing a simple Google search or twitter hash tag search will help you to find people who may be complaining about the price of their prescriptions, or who are looking to settle an estate or will dispute.

So hide your incriminating photos kids, Grandmas and Grandpas on Facebook are here to stay.