Old school advertisers get the boot...

This is required viewing for anyone who thinks social media one of those crazy fads. (Like, y'know, the music of the Beatles.)

Personalizing your Twitter page

One of the first things I did after joining Twitter was create a custom background to make my Twitter page match my website and blog.

I've since designed simple Twitter backgrounds for a few clients and have been looking for an excuse to create more complex graphics.

As soon as a I finish reading "Make your Twitter page stand out (in a good way!) with these four simple tips" from CreativePro.com, I'll get to work.

She wrote the book on competitive intelligence

My client, Seena Sharp, is the research wizard behind Sharp Market Intelligence.

After decades of advising clients and speaking at conferences around the world, Seena spent months writing "Competitive Intelligence Advantage: How to Minimize Risk, Avoid Surprises, and Grow Your Business in a Changing World."

Look for it in bookstores in October.

Book publicity, sort of

I've been working on website and blog design for several authors, so this video was particularly funny.

My (strictly professional) crush on David Allen

I'm a big fan of the book "Getting Things Done" by David Allen. Over the years I had developed an effective system for managing my many projects, but his approach helped my kick my system up a notch. 

Imagine my glee when I discovered these online treats: 

• A GTD podcast

• David Allen's Twitter page

• Free articles on GTD

• The company blog

• A GTD staffer's blog

• Several GTD groups on LinkedIn

If I didn't already have a (strictly professional) crush on Mr. Allen, his approach to marketing would seal the deal. 

David Pogue on pointlessly complex technology

I've never been to the TED conference, but I enjoy their famously brief presentations captured for posterity on video. This talk by New York Times tech columnist David Pogue is funny and true.

Bookmarking developers' blogs

One easy way to stay current about social media sites and popular online services is to read developers' blogs. The most breaking news is always on top so you can skim quickly and move on—to what other bloggers and technology critics are saying.

Here, in semi-random order, are the "company blogs" I monitor:

The Official Google Blog

The Facebook Blog

The LinkedIn Blog

The Twitter Blog

The Blogger Buzz

The WordPress Blog

The Official Everything TypePad Blog

The Delicious Blog

The YouTube Blog

The Flickr Blog

The Technorati Blog

Spin the bottle

RedKid.com is friendly little site that offers all sorts of diversions, including 50 different "sign generators" that let you add your own text to parade banners, iPod playlists, frosted cakes, road signs, movie marquees and more. Go ahead, try it.

Does this have anything to do with marketing communications? No, but…it's Casual Friday!

In a flutter about Twitter

I started posting on Twitter in late 2008 at the request of a client who wanted me to evaluate it for his business.

While I was a bit late to the Twitter party, I'm now hooked on microblogging. Now when other clients quiz me about Twitter, I point them to:

• TwiTip.com, a site devoted to all things Twitter.

• Twitter lists and the Twitter news channel on Mashable.com (which is a great resource for information on all social media technology).

• "An Introduction to Twitter Hashtags" by Rebecca Leaman.

• "Top Twitter Posts of 2008" by Dev Basu.

• "6 Reasons Why I Was Wrong About Twitter" by Mark McGuiness.

• "50 Ideas for Using Twitter for Business" by Chris Brogan.

• "Twitter 101, Beginner's Tips: Do you Tweet?" by Del Daix

• "Twitter: Building Businesses Tweet by Tweet" by Jeremy Quittner

I'll add additional articles and resources to this post as I find them. If you have links to share, please do so in your comment.

Your tax dollars at work

The State Board of Equalization (BOE) posted a Q&A video about California's sales tax increase. All counties will see at least a 1% bump starting Wednesday, April 1, 2009.

I give the video a "thumbs up" for content, but negative points for plot, costumes, soundtrack, and special effects.

All that was required for this video to go viral was a surprise ending. Like having the two featured bureaucrats erupt into spirited swordplay after a slight difference of opinion about fixed-price contracts.