StoryTeller Media & Communications
Minneapolis/St. Paul Marketing and PR agency and video production company|StoryTeller
StoryTeller Media & Communications
Social Media is a Tool, Not a Marketing Silver Bullet
I had an interesting conversation yesterday with a friend who owns a number of retail stores in the Twin Cities. He says he’s bombarded on a regular basis by agencies who want to handle their “social media marketing.” The cost is prohibitive for him as a small business owner, he bemoans, and he’s having a hard time balancing the time and expense against his traditional forms of advertising and marketing. So, he’s wondering, how social media works for most businesses?
Are You a Good Business Partner?
My wife and I have been married for 21-years (no, I don’t know how she’s put up with me this long either) and one of the things that has made our partnership so strong is that it is, indeed, a partnership. We solve problems together, take care of each other and support each other. In essence, I like to believe we make each other better. When we define business relationships the recipe for success is quite similar.
I Think I Want To Marry You!
There are many things I enjoy in this world. One is a good flash mob. Another is a creative marriage proposal. So what happens when you put the two together? You get our video pick of the week. The video starts out a little slow with the action picking up at about 1:25 in. It’s definitely a worthwhile watch.
Helping Paws 2011 Agency Video
Our partnership with Helping Paws goes back several years. It all began with the original video that we produced for their annual fundraising gala, “The Tail Waggin’ Buffet,” and on through public relations work that we’ve done for the last few years around the “Wag, Walk and Run” - their annual 5K fun run and walk. The organization has grown through the years and we certainly hope that we’ve been a part of their success.
Video of the Week: “These Boots Were Made For Walkin’”
Ever wonder how those boots were made? And where? Check out this video of the week. Not only is it a great story from Minnesota’s Own - Red Wing Shoe Company, but the video is beautifully shot and very well done. (And our apologies if you now have that song stuck in your head!)
Hiring the Best Candidate May Not Mean Hiring a “Good Guy”
One of the most challenging and critical things an owner or manager has to do in a small business is hire the right people. The right person is not always the “nicest person,” or someone who’s a “really good guy or gal.” In virtually every case, that has to become a non-factor. As I’ve learned, and my dad used to say, there are a lot of “nice people” in the world. However, not every person is the best person for your company.
If you’re in the market for a new job and going to interviews, remember, even though the company might be a “perfect fit” for you. It may not be a perfect fit for the company. Afterall, they know the culture and the need better than you do. All you can do is your best and be honest and truthful with yourself and your prospective employer. If it’s meant to be, it will be. If it’s not and you’ve got a great story to tell, you’ll find your opportunity at a place where you and your employer will thrive.
Ed Heil is the owner and president of StoryTeller Media & Communications an inbound marketing and public relations agency and video production company based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Ed blogs on topics related to inbound marketing, social media, media relations, news media, video production and crisis communications.
The Secret to Running Faster, Longer
I’ve never considered myself a runner. I enjoy working out in moderation, but I’m not the kind of person who hops on the treadmill with the intention of running for X amount of miles. You see, I find running hard. It’s more work than walking and I don’t necessarily enjoy how uncomfortable I feel after more than about five minutes of it. But still, I’ve always wondered how other people could do it. How could they run tirelessly, mile after mile, while I’m huffing and puffing after just a few minutes?
Well a few weeks ago I came across a blog post titled, “How to run longer and faster.” Needless to say, I was intrigued. I was hoping this article would have a quick-fix that would give me the secret to becoming the runner I had always wanted to be. So here’s the secret:
The women on the treadmills around me, seemingly the same age and in the same shape that I was, were running comfortably at 6.5 and above. Why couldn’t I do that?
It was then I realized that in order to run longer and faster, I had to run longer and faster. … I had been running the same distance and at the same speed for years, definitely NOT pushing myself to the limit, and thus, wasn’t growing as a runner.
Duh. In order to run faster and longer, you have to push yourself. There is no quick-fix. Here I was thinking it would just happen - that the uncomfortable feeling I get when running would just magically go away, that the other people running around me were doing so by some sort of magic, not because of their own hard work.
Lately, I’ve found myself repeating this new-found mantra, “If you want to run faster and longer, you have to run faster and longer,” not just while I’m on the treadmill but also while I’m at work. If I want to become a better PR professional, I have to become a better PR professional. Sure, it may feel uncomfortable to push myself to try new things, speak up when I would normally keep quiet and make decisions that I would rather get a second opinion on, but how else am I going to keep up with the other PR pros running with me?
Midwest Living Magazine’s Best New Places to Eat, Play and Stay
The February 2001 of Midwest Living highlights the top ten best new places to eat, play and stay in the Midwest. If you’re in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, be sure to check out Aperitif - It was included in the magazine’s best new places to eat!
Need a New Year’s Eve recipe? Try Jerk Chicken Fondue
Chef Kevin from Redstone American Grill shared his recipe for Jerk Chicken Fondue with Jason Matheson on the FOX 9 Morning News. This is a fun, interactive dish - perfect for entertaining!
Natural Design Trends for 2011
Kathy from Hirshfield’s Design Resource stopped by KARE 11 yesterday to talk with Diana Pierce about design trends to look for in 2011. Kathy summed it up as “Glamorganic” - design elements that are natural yet glam! Click here to see Kathy’s interview!
Search
Subscribe to Our Blog
- How to Pitch the Media February 9, 2012
- New social media tool: Are you on Pinterest? February 6, 2012
- Video Production So Good You’ll Cry February 3, 2012
- 5-Video Production Tips to Avoid a Major Production January 18, 2012
- PRSA Re-Defines PR and It’s About Time January 2, 2012
Categories
Tags
Aperitif Blog Blogging Bloomington CobornsDelivers Communications customer service David Meerman Scott Facebook Frank Shorter fundraising videos Good Business Helping Paws Hirshfield's Linkedin Marketing media media relations MIMA Minneapolis Minneapolis PR agency Minnesota PR PR agency public relations Redstone Second Harvest Heartland Seth Godin social media storyteller StoryTeller Media StoryTeller Media & Communications storyteller media and communications Susan Boyle television news Twin Cities Twitter Video Case Studies Video of the week Video of the Week Video Production Video Services WCCO-TV Web Video YouTubeArchives
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008