Facebook Removes Page Option to Post Link with No Thumbnail

I tried posting a link to my food blog page, A Duo of Chefs. Before Facebook would give an option to use no thumbnail. Now that option is removed.

Facebook has the ability to be outstanding and ever so frustrating, and anything in between, all at once.

It was the frustrated end of the spectrum that I felt recently when I found out Facebook took away the ability to post a link with no thumbnail as a page.

Thumbnails begone

Before, Facebook would give me an option below the thumbnail preview to use no thumbnail. Now that option is gone.

In general, it’s not a big deal. But there are some links that I post that I do not want to use a thumbnail, mostly because the thumbnail options that populate on Facebook don’t have anything to do with the link that I want to post.

Personal account

However, on my personal account, I can still choose to post a link without a thumbnail. This change seems to affect only pages that I manage.

There are other options to post links without thumbnails. The one that I have used is Hootsuite.

Your reaction: Have you seen this change? What do you think of it?

Always Get Attribution for Your Photos on Pinterest in 5 Easy Steps

Pinterest is great for blog traffic and referrals, but a lot of people bemoan the fact that getting attribution can be dicey.

And that’s where Flickr comes in. By using Flickr, which has a partnership with Pinterest to provide attribution details for pins, you can ensure you always get attribution.

Here’s how.

1. Join Flickr. You need an account, obviously.

2. Upload your photo or photos to Flickr. Make sure you add information in the description and tag fields. Include the photo in any sets you might have and target it to groups, too.

That won’t help for getting attribution on Pinterest, but it will help in getting your photos more eyeballs on the photo-sharing site.

3. Grab the HTML or BBCode from the photos you want to use. This is the code you need. When viewing an individual photo, click “Share” button, and then “Grab the HTML/BBCode.”

4. Embed the code in your blog post. Just paste the code wherever you want to to be in the blog post. Tweak the formatting as you see fit.

5. Publish your blog post. Yeah, you can’t get attribution unless your content is published. So now it’s just a matter of time until your content gets pinned, and your attribution shows up on Pinterest.

(As you can see in the example on this blog post, my Flickr name, polleydan, shows up on the Pinterest pin just below the text box.)

HOW TO: Use Mind Maps to Write Blog Posts

My mind map for writing this How To Mind Map blog post.

If you’re struggling to write blog posts, there’s an easy solution: Mind maps.

Mind maps allow you to take those thoughts floating around in your brain and put them into a concise order. From there, it’s just a matter of formatting and ordering, then writing and editing.

Mind maps are basically an offshoot of sketchnotes, which I learned a lot about from Mike Rohde.

Plan first

When you map out your post, start with your topic. I put mine at the top of the page, but you can put yours at the center or do whatever makes sense for you.

From there, it’s easy to break it down.

Each big balloon is a sub-topic, divided by subheads. In this post, the first subhead is “Plan first.”

Extend branches from each big balloon, which each branch acting as a paragraph underneath the subhead. You can add more depth to each branch when you plan or when you write.

Blogging time!

Now it’s time to decide how you will format your blog post.

There are many ways to do it, but here are a couple of examples. The reverse pyramid is typical is journalism wherein the top of the writing is general information and the specifics and details increase as the piece goes on. Or you could write chronologically, with the oldest information first and the newest last.

Mind maps are great because the framework is done for you during the mapping stage. During the writing stage, it’s just a matter of putting everything in the correct place and then adding details where you need them.

Be your editor

Before you start editing, take a break. You need to take some time away from the blog post — and this is something you should do with any post — before you start editing and whittling away useless words.

Fresh eyes are what you need for the editing process. Those fresh eyes will help you catch more mistakes and improve your post significantly.

Then, when you’re done and ready, it’s time to publish and share with your networks. It’s really that simple.

Reader Feedback: Have you ever tried to mind map before you wrote something?

Customer Service Case Study: Jimmy John’s

(UPDATE: 10:22 a.m. 4/1/13 below)

Yes, I have a food blog, and yes, that means I love to cook at home a lot.

But sometimes I’m tired and worn out and just want a quick meal without work. So I rely on a few nearby restaurants.

Jimmy John’s is one of them. And, after the service they gave us when we ordered from them last week, they won’t be included any more.

Freaky fail

The bad service started when my wife called our order in. The employee did not ask her how she wanted to pay. My wife had to call back to pay by credit card. The employee did not say “Thank you” or “Bye”; she simply hung up.

We have called this particular Jimmy John’s location to place an order before, and sometimes we have our food within 10 or 15 minutes. Freaky fast, indeed.

A long, long wait

But this time was different. In fact, my wife placed the order just before an NCAA March Madness game tipped off. By the time the game had reached halftime (20 minutes of game time plus multiple play stoppages), we still did not have our food.

After waiting for 45 minutes for our food, my wife went to call back Jimmy John’s to complain. Just as she was placing the call, the delivery driver called to inquire about directions. He was close but on the wrong side of a main road. And, for some reason, he thought he was delivering to a business.

We thought this was odd considering we have ordered before and had no hiccups in delivery service.

After we pointed the driver in the correct direction, he arrived about 10 to 15 minutes later. Considering where he said he was when he called, it should not have taken more than 5.

The trouble with money

When the driver arrived, the receipt said $3.62 instead of $11.50, which is what our order cost. We thought that was Jimmy John’s giving us a discount for their service.

My wife signed the receipt and sent the driver on his way.

No sooner had she set the food on the counter when the doorbell rang again.

It was the driver, and he said that the order had been rung up incorrectly and that we owed more money. After a bit of back and forth, my wife signed the receipt for $11.50.

If a restaurant undercharges a customer by accident, and the customer signs the receipt, shouldn’t the business should absorb the undercharged amount? We think so, yet the driver insisted we pay the full $11.50.

Managing expectations?

After all of this, my wife called the store and spoke with the manager. He said the service was not good because he had new employees, and he would speak with them about their performance.

What we expected was for the manager to say he would charge us just the $3.62 or some other similar recompense.

She also emailed a complaint to the corporate email account. We have not heard back yet, but I will update this post if we do.

(UPDATE 1): Jimmy John’s called my wife in regards to her corporate complaint and will be sending us a $15 gift card and said the service we received was not on par with what they strive to achieve. We appreciate that.

Sound off: Have you ever had customer service so bad that you stopped buying from that business?

Can Users Still Trust Other Google Products?

Creative Commons photo by Irish Typepad

As I sit here, most of my Twitter stream and lots of people I am connected with on other networks are complaining about the impending death of Google Reader.

I’m right with them, in spirit at least.

Google has not shown as much support for it as it has for its other products. And it’s become clear after a petition to save Reader that the product has a big and devoted audience.

So it stands to reason: Can users continue to trust other Google products?

Google stalwarts

Make no mistake: There are some products that users can continue to use. Gmail, Google+, Analytics, AdWords and YouTube should all be safe. They’re among the best products or have no true competitors.

But what of others? Blogger, Calendar, Drive. They’re all products I use on a daily basis, but they are certainly other options out there if I lost faith in Google.

Consider in addition that Google ceased AdWords functionality in Feedburner in the past year.

All hail Google+

That Google has pulled support for Reader based on what others perceive as it being in competition with G+ demonstrates to users that Google is not afraid to pull its products, even if the user base is there.

Certainly it is not what it used to be, but based on petitions to save Reader, it’s safe to assume there are lots of people, like me, who use it every day.

How do you feel? Will you continue to use other Google products?

#SMPro Social Media Spotlight: Jennifer G. Hanford

Jennifer G. Hanford

As part of the #SMPro Expert Spotlight Blog Series, this blog post highlights Jennifer G. Hanford, social media and online marketing director of OnTarget Partners and founder of the soon-to-launch j+ Media Solutions.

j+ Media Solutions will provide data and social solutions for B2B companies. Service offerings include customized leads lists; 360 reports; social media platform setup and maintenance; and content creation.

Below, Jennifer discusses her background, provides some tips, and offers her opinions and insights into the landscape of the social media industry.

1. Where did your interest in social media marketing originate, how has it developed and what role does it play in your professional life now?

I will be honest in saying I really had *zero* interest in social media for quite some time. I always like to say I held out as long as I could! My original perception was the same as many people in my age bracket – it’s something great for teenagers, but a waste of time for someone like me.

My first venture into social media began with a LinkedIn account in 2007. I set up a profile when I started working for OnTarget Partners, a B2B firm in Frisco, Texas. It was something I used initially as a research tool and not for social media. I finally decided to tip my toe into the social media waters in 2009 by signing up for Facebook. It was the beginning of a whole new world and life for me – I was instantly hooked! From there, I got into Twitter and it was there I really discovered the true power of social networking and connecting.

I was tasked with heading up the online marketing division of OnTarget Partners in 2012. My division, B2B Inbound Online, has been successful for its parent company as a producer of quality inbound leads. As well, some of my blog posts have been recognized by Social Media Today and American Marketing Association, resulting in more exposure for OnTarget Partners.

With the experience and knowledge I gained working for a company, I feel the time has come to branch out with it. I have wanted to start my own company for years now and believe social media marketing is where I belong. I’m looking forward to launching j+ Media Solutions and have the freedom to work with and help customers who need the services I will be offering.

2. Who do you read, follow or pay attention to in order to stay ahead of the curve in social media?

Since I do a lot of content curation and creation, I read and follow a lot of different blogs. I like to be able to understand the ever-changing social world from a variety of viewpoints. One of my favorite people to follow and read is Heidi Cohen, who writes a lot about social media for business. I also really like Neal Schaffer and other authors on his Windmill Marketing blog.

3. What do you believe to be the biggest misconception some businesses still have with social media?

In my opinion, the biggest misconception some businesses have is that social media will make them successful overnight. Nothing could be further from the truth! It’s hard for many to accept that it takes time to build a quality following and develop an online presence when things like “Gangnam Style” and “Grumpy Cat” take off like crazy. Seriously. As I have learned, from my own experience, it takes time, consistency and a ton of patience to see results. Many business owners or executives just aren’t interested in waiting that long and lose the enthusiasm before things even get started.

4. A lot of businesses steer clear of social media due to the potential ramifications of making a mistake in such a public environment. What would your response be to that concern?

I agree it is a valid concern to have. Some large, well-known companies have experienced major customer service crises recently as a result of social media snafus. Nothing is private – or sacred – anymore in this digital age. Offline events can make it online in a heartbeat, thanks to YouTube and Instagram. It’s been great though to see how some companies have “turned it around,” turning a negative into a positive, like Oreo did recently during the Super Bowl.

My recommendation for businesses having concerns would be to go with their instincts. If they feel they don’t belong on social media, then they really may not, depending on their industry. Often, their fears may be unfounded and can be reined in with a good social media policy … or just the awareness that mistakes are going to happen, but the potential to fix them is also there.

5. With the rapid evolution of internet marketing, are offline marketing channels now a waste of time? Or is it all still valuable?

Call me old-fashioned, but I think direct marketing still has its place and value. People still respond to phone calls. Many still appreciate face-to-face meetings with the people they do business or want to do business. There may be a time when these and other “interruption” marketing techniques are phased out but it isn’t happening just yet.

 6. How have you integrated social media effectively into your (or your clients) business strategies? How are you proving a return on investment?

As I mentioned earlier, I have been heading up the online division for my company, OnTarget Partners. OnTarget has been a direct marketing firm for 15 years, so it was a big leap of faith for them to even consider having an online presence. Luckily, the company’s CEO saw the potential, as well as the need, to have a website and social media accounts. As well as marketing, I became a community manager for the company by handling its social media accounts. ROI was proven in the form of bringing on new clients for the company.

7. What sort of marketing advice would you give to a person who said that their business simply does not fit with social media?

Unless it’s really true that their business doesn’t fit with social media, I would encourage them to reconsider. I personally think all businesses should be online, especially since more people are searching for everything there these days. Chances are their competition is online and proving this will be a key factor.

8. If you had to give up all but one social network, which one would you keep and why?

This is an easy one for me – I would keep Google+! I was an early adopter of the platform and have stayed the course. The platform really was a “ghost town” for a long time until more people started discovering its advantages. One of the main advantages over the other platforms is the potential for bloggers. Posts are indexed very quickly, for example, and the SEO potential is huge. Making it to the first page of Google is always a coveted place for businesses. Being on Google+ can make this happen!

I have more recently gotten involved in a few Communities, which has allowed for a higher level of engagement and conversation than is possible on Twitter. Facebook has some of the capabilities, but only G+ allows for a place to be without privacy concerns or “glitchiness.”

9. How do you deal with the 24/7 aspect of social media marketing? Do you ever step away from it all and recharge?

It is so very easy to get absorbed in social media! I have stayed up way past my “bedtime” on several occasions because of a great Twitter chat or because I’m in the middle of writing a blog post.

I have learned that social media *never* sleeps – but I do. I have a family that needs me – especially my 2 children – and that helps me to step away and recharge. I do as much as I can to balance my job with my family. I also tend to get some of my better blogging ideas after spending time away from the computer.

10. One of the most exciting aspects of social media is that it’s always changing, evolving and progressing. What changes do you expect to see in social media over the next 12 months?

Social media really does change all the time! Just last week, we saw an overnight change in the size of our Google+ cover photos. Then Facebook made an announcement about changing their newsfeeds. It is so important to be flexible when you work in the social media world … otherwise, you’ll pull your hair out on a daily basis!

I expect online images and video will continue to be very important to online and social media marketers within the next 12 months. Maybe we’ll see another Pinterest! I think content curation is going to gain more ground in the next year as well. A lot of writers are concerned with plagiarism and content theft, so curators may become vital for helping separate the wheat from the chaff. Who really knows though? Where’s my 8-ball?!

People can find me online here:

Blogs:  Social Solutions Collective and B2B Inbound Online

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/jplussocial

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jplussocial and www.twitter.com/JennGHanford

Google+: gplus.to/jplussocial and gplus.to/jennghan

What is #SMPro?

#SMPro is a group of professional social media and digital marketers who have made a simple agreement to support assist and promote each other via social media. With member backgrounds spanning the marketing industry, PR, sales and beyond, #SMPro has become a vibrant, engaging environment where questions are answered, hot topics are discussed and everyone is always learning.

Interested in participating? Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

The Walking Dead Guide on How to Not Run a Marketing Campaign

Creative Commons photo courtesy of mensan98th

Walkers are set to stalk television screens across the globe again now that the latest season of AMC’s zombie-rific “The Walking Dead” is back on Sunday, Feb. 10.

And, interestingly enough, there is a lot to learn from the show’s characters. Sure, being equipped for the beginning of the zombpocalypse is one of them, but there’s more, too.

In fact, as marketers, we can learn things from the characters on “The Walking Dead.”

They can show us how not to run a marketing campaign.

Keep it secret

The governor was a major new character in the first part of season 3. And as was seen at the conclusion to the first half of the season, people don’t take too kindly when you keep secrets.

Marketing takeaway: Be open, be vocal. Keeping secrets will not get you points with your target audience, and it certainly won’t with your coworkers.

Go off on your own

Another new character, Michonne, worked with the main group of characters in season 3. But toward the end, she went off on her own, trying to confront someone she did not trust.

Marketing takeaway: Communication is key. Without it, mistakes will be made, and unintended consequences will be unleashed. Don’t think that you know best.

Ignore surroundings

Rick wakes up in the hospital in season 1. Eventually he decides to head to Atlanta. When he gets into the streets of the city, he spots some walkers (the show’s term for zombies). He heads away from them, only to turn a corner straight into a horde of zombies.

Marketing takeaway: Prepare, prepare, prepare. Do your scouting work. And make sure you find takeaways at the end of the campaign.

Remain in fear

When the group in season 2 found Hershel’s farm, life seemed good. But then the group found out about a barn, and that drove some to fear it. Others were cautious or curious about it, a more level-headed approach.

Marketing takeaway: Experiment. Perform multiple tests. Don’t be afraid to fail.

How else do the characters’ actions show us what not to do as marketers?