blog
Here you will find the genius, insightful, sometimes random musings of the Cerebra crew. Everyone who works here blogs so the topics are often varied but they’re always worth reading. We also take requests so send in your topics or share your thoughts in the comments.
Confessions of a Content and Community Manager – 3 tips to help you steal content.
Submitted by Reece Jacobsen on Wed, 2013-01-30 14:51
There is a difference between being influenced by content and stealing content. T.S. Eliot summed this up when he wrote, “The good poet welds his theft into a whole of feeling which is unique, utterly different from that from which it was torn.”
As a content manager, I relish the creative process behind developing unique ideas for content. I don’t steal content, but this does not mean I am not influenced by other content that I see. Here are three quick tips to help you steal content and keep your dignity.
1) Forget Originality
Once you realise that nothing is original, you alleviate the pressure of having to come up with something completely new.
Confessions of a Content and Community Manager – More than words
Submitted by Reece Jacobsen on Mon, 2013-01-28 13:27
“Why do Content and Community Managers have their own appreciation day? All they ever do is write status updates and tweets and respond to queries.”
Well, you see, that’s where you are wrong already. Community managers need a repertoire of skills beyond an impressive vocabulary. Let’s take a quick look at the clubs a Community Manager needs to have in the bag, if they are going to successfully finish level par or better.
Linguists:
It’s not social media. It’s social business.
Submitted by Sara Lopes Moutinho on Tue, 2013-01-22 14:42
Perhaps you’re one of many who view social media as void; questioning its worth and place in business. It is exactly that, superficial, when considered in isolation and with no regard for the underlying business nor its purpose.
Social media and social business are not synonymous. The more established social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook etc) often serve, inadvertently, as guises covering up archaic or flawed business practices . With no house in order, these social platforms only frustrate those involved and hinder the ability to deliver on promises.
A significant impact so far
• 9 out of 10 companies report measurable benefits from social business - [McKinsey Global Survey 2010]
New Client Announcement
Submitted by Cerebra on Thu, 2013-01-03 11:41
Inoxico
Cerebra is happy to announce that as of January 2013 they will be adding Inoxico to their list of PR clients. Inoxico is a registered credit bureau providing business intelligence solutions based on specialised commercial credit information. Inoxico’s services include the Association Matrix , a web-based application that allows you to track and audit company and individual associated relationships within your organisational ecosystem.
It’s not about the 'Like' anymore
Submitted by Zahira Kharsany on Wed, 2012-12-12 10:05
Facebook continues to change and evolve. In recent months we’ve heard an outcry from Brand Pages regarding the change in Facebook’s algorithm [Edgerank] and how content reaches out to ‘fans’ and people using the platform.
Some changes have escaped the eyes of many people in South Africa but we’re slowly seeing the results. One such change is the release of the ‘Global Brand Page’ in October.
What is the Global Brand Page?
Hitting the right note using social media
Submitted by Deshnie Govender on Mon, 2012-12-10 16:26
It’s done wonders for Justin Bieber, connected David Guetta with new fans worldwide and helped launch the careers of many struggling artists.
This “thing” I speak of is not something available to a select few. If anything, it’s free and accessible to anyone. It’s the Internet
While video may have killed the radio star the Internet gave birth to a whole new generation of cyber stars who have successfully launched and continue to promote, share and sell their music online.
So if all clicks lead to the digital platform why are so many musicians still struggling to get it right?
Demystifying Online Reputation Management
Submitted by John Beale on Mon, 2012-11-19 18:28
A Q&A between (Head of ORM) and (Head of Strategy)
1. What exactly does ORM stand for?
- Online Reputation Management
2. That’s nice, but what does it mean and what does it actually do?
- The ORM process lets you listen to the thousands of conversations happening online, measure sentiment - which affects reputation and lets you take a look at the people who mention your brand. It's like stalking on steroids. And with pie charts.
- It let’s you know what your brand looks like online, and what you can do to change or maintain that.
Cerebra’s top social content tips and tricks
Submitted by Cerebra on Thu, 2012-11-15 14:00
Here at Cerebra we have the pleasure of running the social platforms of some of South Africa’s most awesome brands. We also enjoy experimenting with our own social platforms, which means that we’ve learnt a lot about what content works and what doesn’t.
Whether you’re new to social media or looking to improve your brand’s content, here are a few of our top social content tips and tricks:
• Get the basics right – keep content short, simple and relevant. Good spelling and grammar are a must.
Confessions of a Content & Community Manager: The truth about Facebook Reach
Submitted by Reece Jacobsen on Fri, 2012-11-09 17:29
In an attempt to show solidarity to the nation’s youth currently toiling away with exams and studying sessions, I have decided to join them. The question I posed to myself is this:
Question
True or false: Facebook is limiting my brand page’s reach in order to force my client into spending on advertising (Discuss for 50 marks)
False. People are correct in saying they’ve seen a decrease in the number of unique views on (most) of their content, I too have experienced this first-hand. Not so long ago I was one of the people on the frontlines with my big “Zuck you, Facebook” sign and pitchfork, until I realised that they might not be the bad guys after all.
5 steps to building digital communities that really impact your business
Submitted by Mike Stopforth on Fri, 2012-11-09 11:07
One of the more appealing opportunities for brands engaging with customers in social media is soliciting candid feedback about their products and service. With the right amount of investment in your communities these insights can have a profound impact on the way you conduct research, design business processes, train staff, build products and more.
Strategy starts with defining clear objectives. The same applies to social media (or digital) strategy — without clear objectives at the start, engagement falls flat. Traditionally these objectives are defined by the business and are in line with your brand ideals. Your brand ideals are all those things you believe your customers think and feel about you.
