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	<title>The SocialGrow Blog &#187; Ken Herron</title>
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	<link>http://socialgrowblog.com</link>
	<description>Follow SocialGrow as it takes its social networking software application from concept to production</description>
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		<title>Size Matters: How a Large Online Network Can Transform You, Your Marketing, and Your Business</title>
		<link>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-cmo-ken-herron-size-matters-how-a-large-online-network-can-transform-you-your-marketing-and-your-business/</link>
		<comments>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-cmo-ken-herron-size-matters-how-a-large-online-network-can-transform-you-your-marketing-and-your-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:17:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Herron</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Best Practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ken Herron]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategies]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://socialgrowblog.com/?p=653</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Due to the great response to this article in Social Media Marketing Magazine, I wanted to share it with everyone here on the SocialGrow blog.     -Ken
Investment portfolios.
Airline seats.
Chocolate fudge cakes.
What do these three things have in common with the size of your online network? Big is good, bigger is better, and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://socialgrowblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/cake.jpg" alt="cake" title="cake" width="424" height="343" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-655" /><em>Due to the great response to this article in</em> <a href="http://www.smmmagazine.com/" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.smmmagazine.com/?referer=');">Social Media Marketing Magazine</a><em>, I wanted to share it with everyone here on the SocialGrow blog.     -Ken</em><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>Investment portfolios.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>Airline seats.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>Chocolate fudge cakes.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>What do these three things have in common with the size of your online network? Big is good, bigger is better, and biggest is where you want to be.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>As marketers, we have stuff to do, and failing to reach our objectives is not an option. Our brands and businesses require us to make things happen. Customers, sales, revenues… it’s up to us. Having large online social networks gives us the juice we need to make things happen.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>Over the past few months, I have seen a surprising number of articles attempting to convince me that whether I’m a B2B or a B2C marketer, the focus for my portfolio of friend, follower, and connection-based online networks should be “engagement.” Hogwash.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>Size matters. Size gives you power. Size gives you control. Size gives you leverage.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>Everyone is an expert in something, but no one is an expert in everything. One of the reasons to be active on social media is to learn how to use cutting-edge and proven marketing strategies and tactics. If you follow one marketing professor on Twitter, you learn his/her approaches. How much better if you follow all of the <a href="http://www.smmmagazine.com/exclusives/top-marketing-professors-on-twitter/" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.smmmagazine.com/exclusives/top-marketing-professors-on-twitter/?referer=');">top marketing professors on Twitter</a> in the areas of B2B marketing, B2C marketing, public relations, corporate branding, and marketing research? The larger your network, the smarter you can be.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>In the concept of six degrees of separation, all of us are, at most, six steps away from any other person. This is the heart of LinkedIn’s business model. If I have one connection on LinkedIn, I’m two degrees away from everyone my connection knows. Whether I need to buy or sell, I have a personal introduction to everyone in my connection’s network. As a marketer whose livelihood depends on your ability to get things done, would you rather have one connection on LinkedIn or 1,000?<code><br /></code><code><br /></code> </p>
<p>What if you had a large mailing list of people who want to receive your communications because they’re interested in what you have to say? Each of your messages can reach more target customers. The larger your online network, the more people you can sell, real-time, 24×7&#215;365.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>As marketers, part of our value is to persuade our target audience to take action. If you’re <a href="http://twitter.com/aplusk" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/aplusk?referer=');">Ashton Kutcher</a> and develop the largest online network, you’re not just in the media, you are the media. You can directly broadcast to your five million-plus member audience anytime. That’s marketing. You want each and every one of your communications to command a level of credibility so high that other media outlets are forced to report on them.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code> </p>
<p>As my <a href="http://twitter.com/marshsutherland" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/marshsutherland?referer=');">boss</a> likes to say, “Your message can only go as far as the size of your network.” Besides, as any five year old will loudly and unashamedly tell you when you’re standing in line with him at the bakery, “Who wouldn’t want the biggest chocolate fudge cake?”<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><strong>Tweet this blog post now by clicking here:<a href="http://twitter.com/home/?status=RT @SocialGrow The impact of having a large, online network on you, your marketing, and your business - http://j.mp/cYlXjN." target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/home/?status=RT_SocialGrow_The_impact_of_having_a_large_online_network_on_you_your_marketing_and_your_business_-_http_//j.mp/cYlXjN.&amp;referer=');"> EZ-TWEET</a>.</strong><code><br /></code><br />
<em>Note: You must be logged into your Twitter account.</em><code><br /></code><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><strong>Additional Reading</strong><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><em>“It all starts with having the largest possible audience.”</em><code><br /></code><br />
-Dan Zarrella, <a href="http://danzarrella.com/zarrellas-hierarchy-of-contagiousness.html" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/danzarrella.com/zarrellas-hierarchy-of-contagiousness.html?referer=');">Hierarchy of Contagiousness</a><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><em>“Marketers must connect on social networks with people they don’t know, namely their customers.”</em><code><br /></code><br />
-Charlene Li, <a href="http://forrester.com/Groundswell/index.html" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/forrester.com/Groundswell/index.html?referer=');">Groundswell</a><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><em>&#8220;I have always admired the way successful entrepreneurs put themselves in a position to &#8216;get luck&#8217; by developing relationships with relevant people and taking advantage of promising opportunities.&#8221;</em><code><br /></code><br />
-Jeff Bussgang, <a href="http://jeffbussgang.com/" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/jeffbussgang.com/?referer=');">Mastering the VC Game</a><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<a href='http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-cmo-ken-herron-size-matters-how-a-large-online-network-can-transform-you-your-marketing-and-your-business/' class='retweet ' >Size Matters: How a Large Online Network Can Transform You, Your Marketing, and Your Business</a>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>SocialGrow Needs YOU, and Your Five-Star Vote to Win Boston&#8217;s MassChallenge Competition</title>
		<link>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-needs-you-and-your-five-star-vote-to-win-bostons-masschallenge-competition/</link>
		<comments>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-needs-you-and-your-five-star-vote-to-win-bostons-masschallenge-competition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:30:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Herron</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Social Networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[competition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MassChallenge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://socialgrowblog.com/?p=558</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On June 11, 2010, we submitted our application for the first annual MassChallenge competition.  Winners will be determined by the highest number of points from the judges&#8217; scoring, local experts&#8217; endorsements, and the public&#8217;s (that&#8217;s you!) voting on each company&#8217;s idea.
I am writing this blog post to share with all of you a little [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://socialgrowblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/MC.jpg" alt="MC" title="MC" width="369" height="213" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-566" />On June 11, 2010, we submitted our application for the first annual MassChallenge competition.  Winners will be determined by the highest number of points from the judges&#8217; scoring, local experts&#8217; endorsements, and the public&#8217;s (that&#8217;s you!) voting on each company&#8217;s idea.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>I am writing this blog post to share with all of you a little bit about the competition itself (including the fabulous prizes which will help Microsoft BizSpark SocialGrow to succeed!), SocialGrow&#8217;s entry (as only entrants&#8217; one-sentence &#8220;elevator pitches&#8221; and videos are publicly visible), and instructions for how to register and vote on the MassChallenge website.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><strong>How do we register, and then how do we vote five stars for SocialGrow on the MassChallenge website?</strong><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>To view SocialGrow&#8217;s elevator pitch and video, and to vote five stars for SocialGrow in the MassChallenge, you will need to first register as a &#8220;Supporter&#8221; on the MassChallenge website, and then go to the voting page to vote five stars for SocialGrow.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code> </p>
<p><em>Step 1:</em><code><br /></code><br />
Register as a &#8220;Supporter&#8221; on the MassChallenge website at: <a href="http://www.masschallenge.org/competition/get-involved/" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.masschallenge.org/competition/get-involved/?referer=');">http://www.masschallenge.org/competition/get-involved/</a>. Note that no password is required, and you do not need to fill in all of the fields, just the required fields marked with red asterisks: username, e-mail address, first name, last name, and Captcha.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><em>Step 2:</em><code><br /></code><br />
Complete MassChallenge&#8217;s registration process by clicking on the activation link in your confirmation e-mail to validate your e-mail address, and then vote five stars for SocialGrow at: <a href="http://www.masschallenge.org/competition/team-pitches/socialgrow-inc" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.masschallenge.org/competition/team-pitches/socialgrow-inc?referer=');">http://www.masschallenge.org/competition/team-pitches/socialgrow-inc</a> by clicking on the fifth star (i.e., the last star on the right). Note that you will be able to vote only once for each team.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><strong>What IS the MassChallenge?</strong><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>Sponsored by the state of Massachusetts, and designed to give a significant economic boost to the state of Massachusetts, the city of Boston, and its redeveloping waterfront, MassChallenge is &#8220;the largest-ever global startup competition to accelerate the launch and success of high-growth, high-impact new businesses&#8221;.  <a href="http://masschallenge.org" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/masschallenge.org?referer=');">MassChallenge</a> (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-yOfO_mzlI" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-yOfO_mzlI&amp;referer=');">video</a>) is &#8220;designed to help entrepreneurs transform great ideas into great companies&#8221;.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code>  </p>
<p>There will be 300 semi-finalists, 100 finalists, and 20 ultimate awardees.  Finalists will receive Massachusetts resources including mentorship, <a href="http://fanpierboston.com" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/fanpierboston.com?referer=');">work space</a>, strategic advice, and networking opportunities to further their businesses.  Ultimate awardees will receive cash awards, business guidance, and PR and marketing exposure from winning the competition. The objective of all of the awards is to help each startup to grow into a successful Boston-based business, creating new jobs and tax revenues.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>Ending <strong>July 11</strong>, the first round of judging will determine the semi-finalists.  Judging will be based on the teams&#8217; submission entries, endorsements, and public voting (which is why we need you!).  Ending <strong>July 20</strong>, the second round of judging will determine the finalists.  Judging for this round will be based on the teams&#8217; in-person pitches.  Ending <strong>October 15</strong>, the third and final round of judging determines the ultimate awardees.  Judging will be based on teams&#8217; in-person pitches, with the winners being announced at a formal awards ceremony.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><strong>What kind of information was SocialGrow asked to submit for their entry?</strong><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>Along with sharing detailed information on our founders (<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/marshcochransutherland" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.linkedin.com/in/marshcochransutherland?referer=');">Marsh</a>, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/kenherron" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.linkedin.com/in/kenherron?referer=');">Ken</a>, and <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/gary-chin/1/445/b51" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.linkedin.com/pub/gary-chin/1/445/b51?referer=');">Gary</a>) and advisors (<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/deanharris" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.linkedin.com/in/deanharris?referer=');">Dean</a>, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/raju-matta/0/7a7/406" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.linkedin.com/pub/raju-matta/0/7a7/406?referer=');">Raju</a>, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/charbelelkhoury" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.linkedin.com/in/charbelelkhoury?referer=');">Charbel</a>, and <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/mtroiano" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.linkedin.com/in/mtroiano?referer=');">Mike</a>), we were asked what customer &#8220;pain&#8221; we were addressing, and how we were solving it.  We answered: <em>It is time-consuming today for individuals and organizations to manually invite people to join their social networks.  The SocialGrow application scans their emails and allows them to invite others to connect across multiple networks.  Additionally, Social media marketers are challenged with finding ways to quickly and cost-effectively build their audiences.  SocialGrow&#8217;s application helps marketers to exponentially increase the reach and impact of their brands’ messaging by growing their social media audiences.</em>  Note that every answer had a strict character limit to keep everyone crisp and to the point.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>We were also asked how people currently overcome the problem SocialGrow&#8217;s solution will address.  We answered: <em>They don&#8217;t.  Today you have to manually invite people, one-by-one, to connect with you on your different social networks.</em><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>And finally, were were asked why we thought SocialGrow would succeed.  We answered: <em>We are going to succeed because our vision is to realize the human side of what our technology enables — new connections between people that might not have otherwise happened. Each new connection truly has the potential to be life-changing. Our application enables growth, not just the number of people one has in their multiple online networks, but the value received from the richness of having a large, diverse network.</em><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>To view all of the MassChallenge teams&#8217; submissions, click <a href="http://www.masschallenge.org/competition/team-pitches" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.masschallenge.org/competition/team-pitches?referer=');">here</a>; to view SocialGrow&#8217;s submission, click <a href="http://www.masschallenge.org/competition/team-pitches/socialgrow-inc" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.masschallenge.org/competition/team-pitches/socialgrow-inc?referer=');">here</a>; and to view the entry form with all of the questions MassChallenge asked entrants, click <a href="http://www.masschallenge.org/sites/default/files/entryFormImage.pdf" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.masschallenge.org/sites/default/files/entryFormImage.pdf?referer=');">here</a>.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>If you have not yet already done so, please take a minute now to register on the MassChallenge site, and give SocialGrow a five-star vote to help us win the mentorship, advice, guidance, networking, and free office space!<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><strong>Tweet this blog post now by clicking here (must be logged into Twitter):<a href="http://twitter.com/home/?status=.@SocialGrow needs your 5-star vote to win the @masschallenge competition. Please vote for them at: http://j.mp/ccsfyZ!" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/home/?status=._SocialGrow_needs_your_5-star_vote_to_win_the_masschallenge_competition._Please_vote_for_them_at_http_//j.mp/ccsfyZ&amp;referer=');"> Tweet</a>.</strong><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Why is social media important? And what is the value of Twitter, Foursquare, Facebook, and LinkedIn?</title>
		<link>http://socialgrowblog.com/ken-herron-socialgrow-why-is-social-media-important-and-what-is-the-value-of-twitter-foursquare-facebook-and-linkedin/</link>
		<comments>http://socialgrowblog.com/ken-herron-socialgrow-why-is-social-media-important-and-what-is-the-value-of-twitter-foursquare-facebook-and-linkedin/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:12:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Herron</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Social Media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[facebook]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Foursquare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LinkedIn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twitter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://socialgrowblog.com/?p=521</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m a big ol&#8217; geek.
My friends all know this of course.  It&#8217;s not like it&#8217;s something you can hide really, especially when you help people to grow their social networks and to make better use of social media.
I received an e-mail this week from my friend Tim out in Phoenix.  Wave &#8220;Hi&#8221; Tim, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://socialgrowblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Montana.jpg" alt="Montana" title="Montana" width="271" height="271" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-530" />I&#8217;m a big ol&#8217; geek.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>My friends all know this of course.  It&#8217;s not like it&#8217;s something you can hide really, especially when you help people to grow their social networks and to make better use of social media.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>I received an e-mail this week from my friend Tim out in Phoenix. <em> Wave &#8220;Hi&#8221; Tim, you&#8217;re about to be internet-famous. </em> Tim and I went to B-school together, and he is in the process of closing down an e-commerce website.  Knowing many of you have similar questions about social media, I asked Tim if he&#8217;d let me share my response back to him with you by blogging it.  He said &#8220;yes&#8221; by the way.  I always knew he wanted to be internet-famous.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><em>Ken,<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>I am far from a Luddite, but I still just can’t wrap my head around WHY “social media” is (or even should be) important.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>Nobody I know really has anything to say in 140 characters or less.  They’re not that pithy, or if they are, whatever they’re saying really isn’t.  At best it’s a link to a…wait for it…website that is well over 140 characters in length.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>I really don’t care if I see that someone checks in at a nearby Starbucks.  What am I going to do…zip over there in my PJ’s for a latte?  What do I look like…a stalker? (don’t answer that).<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>Half the posts on Facebook are the same tired news stories I see posted on the 10 Internet boards I subscribe to, a quarter are messages letting me know someone is friends with someone I couldn’t care less about, and the remaining quarter are about how someone loves coffee and is glad it’s part of her well-balanced breakfast.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>LinkedIn appears to be the one site that has the most worth, if only so people can search for folks with whom to have informational interviews.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code> </p>
<p>Maybe I should just move to a shack in rural Montana&#8230;<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>-Tim<code><br ></code><code><br ></code><br />
</em><br />
Hey Tim,<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>You will no doubt be thrilled to hear that you do *not* have to relocate your family from sunny Phoenix to rural Montana.  Most people have now heard the buzz about social media, and many have tried it for themselves, but are not (yet!) seeing the results they want.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>Results are the right place to start.  As a form of communications, the first question to ask &#8212; if you are using social media for anything other than entertainment &#8212; is &#8220;What do I want to achieve?&#8221;  Take the time to identify what it is, specifically, that you want to achieve.  Increase your revenues?  Reduce your costs?  Get new customers?  Find a date for your sister&#8217;s wedding? <code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>I read five questions (cries for help?) in your e-mail Tim.  I will address each of them in order:<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>1.  Why is social media important?<code><br ></code><br />
</strong>Social media is important &#8212; and I am defining &#8220;important&#8221; here as <em>an effective strategy for individuals and organizations to achieve their objectives</em> &#8212; because it makes it <strong>fast</strong>, <strong>easy</strong>, and [in most cases] <strong>FREE</strong> for you to create and share content.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>For example, with traditional (&#8221;paid&#8221;) media, you purchase print, website, radio, TV, and/or billboard space, and then you pay someone else to articulate the value of your particular product/service in a compelling way to catch peoples&#8217; attention &#8212; all in the hopes of persuading people to buy.  With social (&#8221;earned&#8221;) media, you are no longer in direct sales (&#8221;BUY MY STUFF!&#8221;) mode.  Instead, you are engaging your target audience by freely sharing the value of your expertise with people who are interested in it.  And yes, along the way, you are letting it be known that your products and services are available for purchase.  Earned media is not a magic cure-all, but an effective addition, and booster, to your existing marketing mix of paid and owned media.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>2.  What is the value of <a href="http://twitter.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com?referer=');">Twitter</a>?<code><br ></code><br />
</strong>One of the values of Twitter is that it is a powerful lead generator.  Each and every 140-character SEO-rich tweet is indexed by Google in almost real-time, getting you and your content on the first page of Google&#8217;s search results.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>3.  What is the value of <a href="http://foursquare.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/foursquare.com?referer=');">Fousquare</a>?<code><br ></code><br />
</strong>One of the values of Foursquare is that it enables you connect more frequently with your network live and in-person.  When I worked for Realogy, our building had a central staircase between the first and second floors that everyone used.  Arguably, more business was done on that staircase than in the rest of the building combined, because it facilitated people running into each other.  Likewise, Foursquare exponentially increases the opportunities for you to &#8220;run into&#8221; the people you know.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>4.  What is the value of <a href="http://facebook.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/facebook.com?referer=');">Facebook</a>?<code><br ></code><br />
</strong>One of the values of Facebook is that it enables you to reconnect with people from your different schools, companies, and organizations.  The personal and professional possibilities multiply when you are able to more easily stay in touch with the people you know.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>5.  What is the value of <a href="http://linkedin.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/linkedin.com?referer=');">LinkedIn</a>?<code><br ></code><br />
</strong>One of the values of LinkedIn is the ability to identify and connect with people you want to reach through &#8220;friends of friends&#8221;.  Because of its near ubiquity among business professionals, it also enables real-time access to first-hand information about your customers, suppliers, employers, and employees.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>You&#8217;re already following me on Twitter (<a href="http://twitter.com/socialgrow" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/socialgrow?referer=');">http://twitter.com/socialgrow</a>), connected with me on Foursquare (<a href="http://foursquare.com/user/kenherron" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/foursquare.com/user/kenherron?referer=');">http://foursquare.com/user/kenherron</a>), have friended me on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/kenherron.fb" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.facebook.com/kenherron.fb?referer=');">http://www.facebook.com/kenherron.fb</a>), and connected with me on LinkedIn (<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/kenherron" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.linkedin.com/in/kenherron?referer=');">http://www.linkedin.com/in/kenherron</a>).  So what is it that YOU want to achieve with social media?<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>-Ken<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong><em>SocialGrow Blog Readers: Do *you* have social media advice that you would like to share with Tim?  Please feel free to include your recommendations in the comments section below, both on the importance of social media, and how he should be using Twitter, Foursquare, Facebook, and LinkedIn</em>.</strong><code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>SocialGrow Press Release: SocialGrow™ Launches Alpha Release of its New Social Networking Software</title>
		<link>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-press-release-microsoft-bizspark-startup-socialgrow-launches-alpha-release-of-its-new-social-networking-software-facebook-linkedin-myspace/</link>
		<comments>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-press-release-microsoft-bizspark-startup-socialgrow-launches-alpha-release-of-its-new-social-networking-software-facebook-linkedin-myspace/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:04:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Herron</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Press Release]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BizSpark]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[facebook]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LinkedIn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[myspace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SocialGrow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[startup]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://socialgrow.com/?p=388</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Application makes it faster and easier for businesses and individuals to grow their relevant social network connections.
Boston, MA. — February 26, 2010 — SocialGrow Inc., a Microsoft BizSpark program member, today announced that it has launched the alpha release of its patents-pending SocialGrow Application at http://socialgrow.com. The SocialGrow Application automates the search and connection processes [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://socialgrowblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/v1copy3.jpg" alt="v1copy" title="v1copy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-265" /><em>Application makes it faster and easier for businesses and individuals to grow their relevant social network connections.</em><code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>Boston, MA. — February 26, 2010 — SocialGrow Inc.</strong>, a Microsoft BizSpark program member, today announced that it has launched the alpha release of its patents-pending SocialGrow Application at <a href="http://socialgrow.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/socialgrow.com?referer=');">http://socialgrow.com</a>. The SocialGrow Application automates the search and connection processes across multiple professional and personal social networks.  The SocialGrow Application also helps social networks around the world to accelerate their membership growth.  At launch, the SocialGrow Application is compatible with Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and MySpace, with additional global and regional social networks being added throughout the month of March.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>“By automating the process of inviting people to join users&#8217; social networks, SocialGrow makes it easier to connect with people you don’t know and faster to connect with people you do,” said <strong>Marsh Sutherland</strong>, President of SocialGrow. “Facebook and LinkedIn users know the larger their relevant networks, the more people their professional and personal messages will reach.”<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>“SocialGrow simply allows Rec.fm to grow our customer base faster,” said <strong>John Appler</strong>, President of social recommendations website and <a href="http://sxsw.com/interactive/webawards/finalists" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/sxsw.com/interactive/webawards/finalists?referer=');">2010 SXSW Web Awards Finalist</a> Rec.fm (<a href="http://rec.fm/video" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/rec.fm/video?referer=');">http://rec.fm/video</a>). “By quickly expanding the number of users creating and using our ‘high fidelity’ product recommendations, SocialGrow has also accelerated our revenue growth.  We are very fortunate to be their first business customer.”<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>SocialGrow was recently named Microsoft BizSpark’s most promising &#8220;Start-Up of the Day&#8221;, and selected by MassHighTech (The Journal of New England Technology) as one of their &#8220;Five Start-Ups To Watch.&#8221; Additionally, SocialGrow&#8217;s Chief Marketing Officer <strong>Ken Herron</strong> was named one of the &#8220;Top 5 Chief Marketing Officers on Twitter&#8221; by Systemic Marketing for his use of Twitter on @SocialGrow (<a href="http://twitter.com/socialgrow" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/socialgrow?referer=');">http://twitter.com/socialgrow</a>).<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>Twitter-Friendly Quotes</strong><code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>Microsoft BizSpark <a href="http://twitter.com/socialgrow" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/socialgrow?referer=');">@SocialGrow</a> today announced the launch of the Alpha release of its software application at <a href="http://socialgrow.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/socialgrow.com?referer=');">http://socialgrow.com</a>.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>“We make it easier to connect w/people you don’t know &#038; faster to connect w/people you do” &#8211; <a href="http://twitter.com/socialgrow" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/socialgrow?referer=');">@SocialGrow</a> President <a href="http://twitter.com/marshsutherland" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/marshsutherland?referer=');">@marshsutherland</a>.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>“<a href="http://twitter.com/socialgrow" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/socialgrow?referer=');">@SocialGrow</a> allows <a href="http://twitter.com/recfm" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/recfm?referer=');">@recfm</a> to grow our customer base faster” &#8211; <a href="http://twitter.com/socialgrow" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/socialgrow?referer=');">@SocialGrow</a> business customer and <a href="http://twitter.com/recfm" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/recfm?referer=');">@recfm</a> President <a href="http://twitter.com/johnappler" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/johnappler?referer=');">@johnappler</a>.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>About SocialGrow</strong><code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>SocialGrow Inc. is a global social networking software, consulting, and professional services company.  SocialGrow’s flagship software application helps individuals, small businesses, corporate enterprises, government agencies, academic organizations, and non-profit associations around the world to more quickly and easily grow their social networks.  SocialGrow was founded in July 2009 by Marsh Sutherland, Ken Herron, and Charbel Elkhoury.  SocialGrow’s mission is to help people realize the value of social networks.  For more information, please visit the SocialGrow website at: <a href="http://socialgrow.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/socialgrow.com?referer=');">http://socialgrow.com</a>, and follow SocialGrow on Twitter at @SocialGrow (<a href="http://twitter.com/socialgrow" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/socialgrow?referer=');">http://twitter.com/socialgrow</a>).</p>
<a href='http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-press-release-microsoft-bizspark-startup-socialgrow-launches-alpha-release-of-its-new-social-networking-software-facebook-linkedin-myspace/' class='retweet ' >SocialGrow Press Release: SocialGrow™ Launches Alpha Release of its New Social Networking Software</a>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>10 Steps to Engaging Your Target Audience on Twitter</title>
		<link>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-cmo-ken-herron-list-of-10-steps-to-engaging-your-target-audience-on-twitter/</link>
		<comments>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-cmo-ken-herron-list-of-10-steps-to-engaging-your-target-audience-on-twitter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:41:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Herron</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Social Networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twitter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://socialgrowblog.com/?p=403</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Last night, people were talking about Twitter (people always seem to be talking about Twitter around me&#8230;), and a friend asked, &#8220;You have over 15,000 followers.  Can you share the &#8217;secret&#8217; so I can do the same for my [start-up] company?&#8221;
He seemed a little disappointed when I told him there really isn&#8217;t a secret [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://socialgrowblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Twitter1.jpg" alt="Twitter" title="Twitter" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-405" /></p>
<p>Last night, people were talking about Twitter (people always seem to be talking about Twitter around me&#8230;), and a friend asked, &#8220;You have over 15,000 followers.  Can you share the &#8217;secret&#8217; so I can do the same for my [start-up] company?&#8221;<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>He seemed a little disappointed when I told him there really isn&#8217;t a secret to engaging with people on Twitter.  As many smart people have already said, you listen, you create, and you communicate.  I took a look at his Twitter account, and gave him a list of steps I recommended he take to better engage with his target audience.  Looking at the list again this morning, I wanted to write it up and share it with you [below].<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>Ken&#8217;s List of 10 Steps to Engaging Your Target Audience on Twitter</strong><code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>1.  Look Hard at Your Twitter Handle</strong><code><br ></code><br />
While you want your Twitter handle to be as short as possible [so it doesn't eat into the 140 characters when people retweet your posts], be sure that it strongly relates to the name you use in your marketing communications so that it not only helps your SEO, but immediately identifies your Twitter account for both existing and new customers.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>2.  Use Your Own Photo</strong><code><br ></code><br />
While many people are more comfortable using their company&#8217;s logo than their own photo, keep in mind that on Twitter people are still engaging with other people, even if they are representing brands.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>3.  Design a FANTASTIC &#8220;Tweetback&#8221;</strong><code><br ></code><br />
Your Twitter background is the place to showcase not only your company&#8217;s logo, but to clearly articulate your brand&#8217;s unique value, story, and contact information.  Design (or have designed) a compelling, brand-appropriate background.  Check out <a href="http://twitterbackgroundsgallery.com/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitterbackgroundsgallery.com/?referer=');">http://twitterbackgroundsgallery.com/</a> for ideas and inspiration.  And don&#8217;t forget to include the specific call to action you want people to take!<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>4.  Share, Don&#8217;t Spam</strong><code><br ></code><br />
People seem to forget that Twitter is inbound marketing (<a href="http://blog.hubspot.com/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/blog.hubspot.com/?referer=');">http://blog.hubspot.com/</a>), and not outbound marketing.  Why would anyone want to follow a never-ending stream of sales pitches?  Focus on tweeting valuable [preferably your own original] content which shares your brand-appropriate expertise of greatest interest to your target audience.  Think about the 1 in 10 rule &#8212; limit your direct marketing pitches to no more than 1 out of every 10 of your tweets.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>5.  Think 120</strong><code><br ></code><br />
Limit the length of your tweets to no more than 120 characters (less is obviously better).  While Twitter&#8217;s limit is 140 characters, if you use all of them, you make it harder for people to retweet your posts with their comments.    You should also be retweeting your followers&#8217; best tweets, and ALWAYS thanking them by name when they retweet your tweets.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>6.  Tweet at Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner</strong><code><br ></code><br />
 Tweet 3-5 times a day, throughout the day, minimally in the morning, at mid-day, and in the evening.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>7.  Use Multimedia</strong><code><br ></code><br />
Think multimedia when you tweet.  A mix of brand-appropriate photos, audio, and videos are more interesting for your followers than all text tweets.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>8.  Create Twitter Lists</strong><code><br ></code><br />
Create brand-appropriate Twitter Lists to recognize and promote your followers.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>9.  Follow Great People</strong><code><br ></code><br />
While you should obviously be following everyone who is talking about your company, your brands, and your products; you also want to follow people who are talking about your competitors, and the problems, needs, and wants your product or service solves.  I have heard differing views on this, but as a company, I choose to follow back everyone [who's not a spammer, bot, or in a business inappropriate to my brand] who expresses an interest in SocialGrow.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>10.  Use the SocialGrow Application!</strong><code><br ></code><br />
Following my own 1 in 10 rule, sign up now for the SocialGrow application at <a href="http://socialgrow.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/socialgrow.com?referer=');">http://socialgrow.com</a>!  Launching soon, SocialGrow makes it easier to connect with people you don&#8217;t know, and faster to connect with people you do.  Note that SocialGrow has a great consulting division should you need more help with using Twitter, effectively using other social networks, or creating an integrated social-media-inclusive marketing and communications strategy for your business or organization.  Please feel free to contact me directly with your questions on ken.herron [@] socialgrow.com.</p>
<a href='http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-cmo-ken-herron-list-of-10-steps-to-engaging-your-target-audience-on-twitter/' class='retweet ' >10 Steps to Engaging Your Target Audience on Twitter</a>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>The SocialGrow Alpha Release Launches February 1, 2010</title>
		<link>http://socialgrowblog.com/the-socialgrow-alpha-release-launches-february-1-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://socialgrowblog.com/the-socialgrow-alpha-release-launches-february-1-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:07:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Herron</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[LinkedIn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Launch]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://socialgrow.com/?p=341</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[SocialGrow will launch the Alpha release of our web software application on Monday,
February 1, 2010.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-353" title="Launch" src="http://socialgrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/3517227492_1863ea689d_m-200x133.jpg" alt="Launch" width="200" height="133" />SocialGrow will launch the Alpha release of our web software application on Monday,<br />
February 1, 2010.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>Between now and February 1, we will share selected mainstream and niche social networks with which SocialGrow will be compatible:<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p><em>Note: Specific compatible social networks are subject to change without notice.</em><code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>December 14: <a href="http://linkedin.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/linkedin.com?referer=');"><strong>LinkedIn</strong></a><code><br /></code><br />
With over 53 million members representing 170 industries in over 200 countries and territories, LinkedIn is an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>December 17: <a href="http://hi5.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/hi5.com?referer=');"><strong>hi5</strong></a><code><br /></code><br />
With over 50 million monthly visitors, hi5 is the world&#8217;s largest social entertainment destination.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>December 21: <a href="http://facebook.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/facebook.com?referer=');"><strong>Facebook</strong></a><code><br /></code><br />
Millions of people use Facebook everyday to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>December 28: <a href="http://twitter.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com?referer=');"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><code><br /></code><br />
Twitter is a real-time short messaging service that works over multiple networks and devices. In countries around the world, people follow the sources most relevant to them and access information via Twitter as it happens—from breaking world news to updates from friends.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>January 4: <a href="http://myspace.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/myspace.com?referer=');"><strong>MySpace</strong></a><code><br /></code><br />
MySpace empowers its global community to experience the internet through a social lens by integrating personal profiles, photos, videos, mobile, messaging, games, and the world&#8217;s largest music community.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>January 11: <a href="http://avatarsunited.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/avatarsunited.com?referer=');"><strong>Avatars United</strong></a><code><br /></code><br />
Avatars United (AU) is a community for your virtual avatars. Register your avatar, upload your profile picture, write your biography and share some of your exploits in virtual worlds through pictures, videos, blogs, and more.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<p>January 14: <a href="http://orkut.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/orkut.com?referer=');"><strong>Orkut</strong></a><code><br /></code><br />
Orkut&#8217;s social network can help you maintain existing relationships with pictures and messages, and establish new ones by reaching out to people you&#8217;ve never met before.<code><br /></code><code><br /></code></p>
<a href='http://socialgrowblog.com/the-socialgrow-alpha-release-launches-february-1-2010/' class='retweet ' >The SocialGrow Alpha Release Launches February 1, 2010</a>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>SocialGrow Press Release: SocialGrow Announces User Registration for Alpha Release of its New Software</title>
		<link>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-press-release-socialgrow-announces-user-registration-for-alpha-release-of-its-new-software/</link>
		<comments>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-press-release-socialgrow-announces-user-registration-for-alpha-release-of-its-new-software/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:50:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Herron</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PDC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alpha Release]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Release]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://socialgrow.com/?p=295</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Web and mobile phone application makes it faster and easier for businesses and individuals to grow their social network connections.
Los Angeles, CA. — November 17,  2009 — SocialGrow, a Microsoft BizSpark program member, today announced that it has opened registration for alpha users to test its first release of the SocialGrow Web and Mobile [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://socialgrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/v1copy3.jpg" alt="v1copy" title="v1copy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-265" /><em>Web and mobile phone application makes it faster and easier for businesses and individuals to grow their social network connections.</em><code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>Los Angeles, CA. — November 17,  2009 — SocialGrow</strong>, a Microsoft BizSpark program member, today announced that it has opened registration for alpha users to test its first release of the SocialGrow Web and Mobile Phone Software Application.  Developed on Windows Azure, SocialGrow&#8217;s Web and Mobile Phone Software Application will enable users to search for and connect with people online, both professionally and personally. Participants will be limited to the first 500 users who register on the SocialGrow website at: <a href="http://socialgrow.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/socialgrow.com?referer=');">http://socialgrow.com</a>.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>“By leveraging Windows Azure and exciting new features in Windows 7 through the Microsoft BizSpark program, Social Grow was able to develop an application that automates the process of inviting people to join users&#8217; online social networks,” said Marsh Sutherland, President of SocialGrow. “This makes it faster and easier for users to grow their connections across profile-based social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, and for users running Windows 7, sending an invitation to connect can be as quick and easy as highlighting the person’s e-mail address and right-clicking.”<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>“Windows Azure allows SocialGrow to be flexible and rapidly scale as it starts to build its customer base,” said Prashant Ketkar, senior director of product marketing for Windows Azure at Microsoft Corp. “Combined with reduced upfront hardware costs, Windows Azure lets SocialGrow developers focus their time on building innovative solutions instead of managing the underlying hardware infrastructure provisioning and scaling.”<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>SocialGrow was recently named the Microsoft BizSpark most promising &#8220;Start-Up of the Day&#8221;, and selected by MassHighTech (The Journal of New England Technology) as one of their &#8220;Five Start-Ups You Should Follow&#8221;. Additionally, SocialGrow&#8217;s Chief Marketing Officer Ken Herron was named one of the &#8220;Top 10 Chief Marketing Officers in North America&#8221; by Systemic Marketing for SocialGrow&#8217;s use of Twitter on @SocialGrow (<a href="http://twitter.com/socialgrow" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/socialgrow?referer=');">http://twitter.com/socialgrow</a>).</p>
<a href='http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-press-release-socialgrow-announces-user-registration-for-alpha-release-of-its-new-software/' class='retweet ' >SocialGrow Press Release: SocialGrow Announces User Registration for Alpha Release of its New Software</a>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>SocialGrow Participates in Microsoft BizSpark&#8217;s Incubation Week for Windows 7 for High-Potential Software Startups</title>
		<link>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-participates-in-microsoft-bizsparks-incubation-week-for-windows-7-for-high-potential-software-startups/</link>
		<comments>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-participates-in-microsoft-bizsparks-incubation-week-for-windows-7-for-high-potential-software-startups/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:37:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Herron</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Azure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BizSpark]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Partnership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Silverlight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 7]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[angel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Animoto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[app]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[application]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charbel Elkhoury]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[funding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Incubation Week]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ken Herron]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marsh Sutherland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Technology Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mobile phone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MTC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Social Networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SocialGrow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[software application]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[start-up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[startup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waltham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[web]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://socialgrow.com/?p=281</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[SocialGrow was one of five high-potential software start-ups selected to participate in Microsoft BizSpark&#8217;s Incubation Week for Windows 7 October 5-9, 2009 at the Microsoft Technology Center (MTC) in Waltham, MA.



We, SocialGrow&#8217;s three co-founders, wanted to share with you our perspectives on an exciting and productive week.
Ken&#8217;s take (Ken is SocialGrow&#8217;s CMO):
&#8220;As a new company, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://socialgrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Certificate_2.jpg" alt="MBIWk" title="MBIWk" width="242" height="184" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-284" />SocialGrow was one of five high-potential software start-ups selected to participate in <a href="http://microsoftstartupzone.com/bizspark" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/microsoftstartupzone.com/bizspark?referer=');">Microsoft BizSpark&#8217;s</a> <a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/sanjayjain/archive/2009/08/18/microsoft-bizspark-incubation-week-for-windows-7-at-boston-05oct09.aspx" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/blogs.msdn.com/sanjayjain/archive/2009/08/18/microsoft-bizspark-incubation-week-for-windows-7-at-boston-05oct09.aspx?referer=');">Incubation Week for Windows 7</a> October 5-9, 2009 at the Microsoft Technology Center (MTC) in Waltham, MA.<br />
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://wanimoto.clearspring.com/o/46928cc51133af17/4ad47127eae9ffb9/46928cc51133af17/9dd7b910/-cpid/3216ca96d5da5509/-EMH/360/-EMW/648/widget.js"></script><br />
<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>We, SocialGrow&#8217;s three co-founders, wanted to share with you our perspectives on an exciting and productive week.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>Ken&#8217;s take (Ken is SocialGrow&#8217;s <a href="http://socialgrow.com/who-we-are/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/socialgrow.com/who-we-are/?referer=');">CMO</a>):</strong><code><br ></code></p>
<p>&#8220;As a new company, you of course want as many potential users of your product to know about, and get excited about it.  From the marketing perspective, participating was a great way for us to share with people who use online social networks that our new software automating the process of adding new connections to their networks is under development.  Our participation allowed us to tap into the exciting new features of Windows 7, while reminding people who use Macs, Linux, and older versions of Windows that SocialGrow will work for them, too, just as it will on their iPhones, BlackBerries, Android phones, and other mobile phones which can access the internet.  In short, our participation in Incubation Week was not only a great opportunity for our company to make our new product even better by leveraging Windows 7&#8217;s key features, but an opportunity to further share our story with people who otherwise might not have heard about us.&#8221;<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>Charbel&#8217;s take (Charbel is SocialGrow&#8217;s <a href="http://socialgrow.com/who-we-are/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/socialgrow.com/who-we-are/?referer=');">CTO</a>):</strong><code><br ></code></p>
<p>&#8220;The Windows 7 development training at Microsoft was an incredible learning experience. We spent time on Windows 7&#8217;s key features, including: federated search, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqiin8qmbeY" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqiin8qmbeY&amp;referer=');">jump lists</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNuBmubfMts" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNuBmubfMts&amp;referer=');">accelerators</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTABGen4Ckg" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTABGen4Ckg&amp;referer=');">multi-touch support</a>, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYnSGTUU4P0" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYnSGTUU4P0&amp;referer=');">taskbar management</a> as well as developing with <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/SILVERLIGHT/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.microsoft.com/SILVERLIGHT/?referer=');">SilverLight</a>.  SocialGrow users running WIndows 7 will be able to send an invitation to connect with someone simply by highlighting their e-mail address.  Having the opportunity to work side-by-side with the very same software architects and developers who support Microsoft&#8217;s biggest enterprise customers enabled us to achieve unthinkable results in just a few days&#8217; (and nights&#8217;!) time.&#8221;  <code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>Marsh&#8217;s take (Marsh is SocialGrow&#8217;s <a href="http://socialgrow.com/who-we-are/)" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/socialgrow.com/who-we-are/?referer=');">President</a>):</strong><code><br ></code></p>
<p>&#8220;My expectation going into Microsoft BizSpark Incubation Week for Windows 7 was that we would have a few hours on the first day with a Microsoft advisor to help us architect the SocialGrow software to take advantage of Windows 7&#8217;s new features, who would then check in on our progress over the remainder of the week.  I had no idea that our &#8220;advisor&#8221; would be one of Microsoft&#8217;s premier enterprise software architects, <a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/rich_crane/" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/blogs.msdn.com/rich_crane/?referer=');">Rich Crane</a>.  Not only did Rich code our product alongside Charbel until one in the morning two nights in a row, but he also brought in two additional Microsoft software architects to do the same!  Add in the <a href="http://www.proteans.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.proteans.com?referer=');">Proteans</a> offshore development team who coded around the clock, and it was an amazing team effort.  I want to thank Rich and the MTC&#8217;s incredibly generous architects, developers, staff, and of course Microsoft itself for giving SocialGrow such an incredible jump start with our application development effort.  And yes, my inner geek loved Silverlight&#8217;s cool-front end, just wait till you see it!&#8221;<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>Sign up now to receive SocialGrow&#8217;s blog updates via <a href="feed://socialgrow.com/feed/">RSS</a> and to follow SocialGrow on <a href="http://twitter.com/socialgrow" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/socialgrow?referer=');">Twitter</a>.  Follow our story as we develop and roll out the first release of SocialGrow&#8217;s web and mobile phone software application to help you grow your professional and personal connections &#8212; faster and easier &#8212; on your online social networks.</p>
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		<title>SocialGrow Press Release: Wiggio Selects SocialGrow as Beta Commercial Customer for Their Group Collaboration Software</title>
		<link>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-press-release-wiggio-selects-socialgrow-as-beta-commercial-customer-for-their-group-collaboration-software/</link>
		<comments>http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-press-release-wiggio-selects-socialgrow-as-beta-commercial-customer-for-their-group-collaboration-software/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:44:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Herron</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Partnership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Release]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wiggio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dana Lambert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marsh Sutherland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SocialGrow]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://socialgrow.com/?p=246</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For Immediate Release: September 29, 2009
BOSTON, Mass. ─ Wiggio (http://www.wiggio.com), creators of popular web-based group collaboration software, today announced their selection of software, consulting, and professional services company SocialGrow (http://www.socialgrow.com), as the beta commercial customer for their flagship software application.

“Wiggio is providing SocialGrow with their online collaboration platform to enable us to communicate more effectively [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://socialgrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/v1jpg1.jpg" alt="SocialGrow Logo" title="SocialGrow Logo" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-251" /><strong>For Immediate Release: September 29, 2009</strong><code><br ></code><br />
BOSTON, Mass. ─ Wiggio (http://www.wiggio.com), creators of popular web-based group collaboration software, today announced their selection of software, consulting, and professional services company SocialGrow (http://www.socialgrow.com), as the beta commercial customer for their flagship software application.<br />
<span id="more-246"></span><br />
“Wiggio is providing SocialGrow with their online collaboration platform to enable us to communicate more effectively with remote team members, archive critical e-mail conversations, and provide a single, secure repository for all text, image, and video documents to help us quickly grow our new company” said SocialGrow President and Co-Founder Marsh Sutherland.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>Wiggio President Dana Lampert stated, “SocialGrow is providing Wiggio with real-time user feedback, and suggestions for new feature/functionality to improve the application and our service overall.”  Lampert went on to say, “Wiggio was originally built to support collaboration among student teams in an academic environment, yet we’ve seen major adoption among small companies and non-profits.  With SocialGrow as our beta commercial client, Wiggio will be able to quickly add features which support other startups and small businesses to collaborate effectively and work productively, regardless of team members’ physical locations.”<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>SocialGrow’s Sutherland further said “by using Wiggio to collaborate online, and keep one set of documents in a single repository, SocialGrow gives us the benefit of automated version control for all of our business documents.  We simply cc: our Wiggio e-mail address to archive e-mails for future use.  It could not be easier!”<br />
Wiggio’s Lampert concluded by saying “Wiggio makes it easy for SocialGrow&#8217;s employees to keep each other up-to-date in real-time, without having to interrupt their work flows.”<code><br ></code><code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>About Wiggio</strong><code><br ></code><br />
Wiggio is a group application software company.  With over 200,000 users, the company&#8217;s software application allows group members to share and edit files, host free video meetings and conference calls, manage a group calendar, poll group members, post links, chat online and send mass text, voice and email messages to group members.  Wiggio was created in January 2008 by Dana Lampert.  Wiggio&#8217;s mission is to eliminate frustration, and enable groups to work effectively.  For more information please visit http://wiggio.com.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>About SocialGrow</strong><code><br ></code><br />
SocialGrow is a software, consulting, and professional services company.  SocialGrow’s flagship software application helps individuals, small businesses, large enterprises, governments, academia, and non-profit organizations to quickly and easily grow their online social networks.  SocialGrow was founded in July 2009 by Marsh Sutherland, Ken Herron, and Charbel Elkhoury.  SocialGrow’s mission is to help people realize the value of social networks.  For more information please visit http://socialgrow.com.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>Media contacts</strong><code><br ></code><br />
Wiggio: Dana Lampert, dana [at] wiggio [dot] com<code><br ></code><br />
SocialGrow: Ken Herron, ken.herron [at] socialgrow [dot] com</p>
<a href='http://socialgrowblog.com/socialgrow-press-release-wiggio-selects-socialgrow-as-beta-commercial-customer-for-their-group-collaboration-software/' class='retweet ' >SocialGrow Press Release: Wiggio Selects SocialGrow as Beta Commercial Customer for Their Group Collaboration Software</a>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Six Things You Should Do to Leverage Your Professional Online Social Networks to More Quickly Find Your Next Job</title>
		<link>http://socialgrowblog.com/six-things-you-should-do-to-leverage-your-professional-online-social-networks-to-more-quickly-find-your-next-job/</link>
		<comments>http://socialgrowblog.com/six-things-you-should-do-to-leverage-your-professional-online-social-networks-to-more-quickly-find-your-next-job/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:43:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Herron</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[LinkedIn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Profiles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[job hunt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[job search]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marsh Sutherland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recruiting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SimplyHired]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SocialGrow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategies]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://socialgrow.com/?p=232</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[SocialGrow:  Click.  Connect.  Find a job.
Regardless of the state of the economy in general, or your local job market in particular, &#8220;the larger your network, the faster you will find a job.&#8221;  We have all heard this truism before, but did you know that the same rule also applies to your professional online social networks?  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://socialgrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Jobs.jpg" alt="Jobs" title="Jobs" width="300" height="171" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-242" /><strong>SocialGrow:  Click.  Connect.  Find a job.</strong><code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>Regardless of the state of the economy in general, or your local job market in particular, &#8220;the larger your network, the faster you will find a job.&#8221;  We have all heard this truism before, but did you know that the same rule also applies to your professional online social networks?  The more people you have in your professional online social networks, the faster you will find your next job.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code><br />
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<p>Whether you&#8217;re a beginner just sitting down to create your profile on <a href="http://linkedin.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/linkedin.com?referer=');">http://linkedin.com</a> for the very first time, or a seasoned veteran with a dozen profiles on different mainstream and niche sites, here are six things you should do to leverage your professional online social networks to more quickly find your next job:<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>1.</strong>  Ask your <a href="http://linkedin.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/linkedin.com?referer=');">http://linkedin.com</a> connections who work for each of your target companies to write a recommendation for you.  Your connections may respond to your requests more quickly, if you first write a recommendation for them.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>2.</strong>  When you submit your cover letter and resume on an internet job posting, send messages to your connections within the company to help you identify the hiring manager or HR contact.  Job postings on <a href="http://simplyhired.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/simplyhired.com?referer=');">http://simplyhired.com</a> and <a href="http://linkedin.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/linkedin.com?referer=');">http://linkedin.com</a> have this feature built-in, but you can do this for a job ad on any website where the company is named.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>3.</strong>  Write a brief note introducing yourself to the hiring manager or HR contact letting them know you submitted for the job, and ask one of your connections within the company to forward it to him/her for you.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>4.</strong>  If you are not able to reach out directly to the hiring manager or HR contact through one of your connections on <a href="http://linkedin.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/linkedin.com?referer=');">http://linkedin.com</a>, check to see which groups they belong to and join that particular group.  Most group members allow other members of the group to message them directly.  Also, joining relevant professional groups on <a href="http://linkedin.com" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/linkedin.com?referer=');">http://linkedin.com</a>, such as <a href="http://WebExecutives.org" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/WebExecutives.org?referer=');">http://WebExecutives.org</a>, is one more opportunity for you to expand your professional network.  Alternately, you can send the hiring manager or HR contact a LinkedIn InMail(TM).<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>5.</strong>  A heads up that if a contingency recruiter or their agency has already submitted you to the company as a candidate *or* if you submitted for the job on a recruiting agency&#8217;s own website, you should NOT contact the company&#8217;s hiring manager or HR contact directly, as it creates a serious conflict of interest which could get you ejected from the candidate review process.  Don&#8217;t miss out on job opportunities, or alienate recruiters and their agencies.<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p><strong>6.</strong>  Finally, be sure to use the SocialGrow web and mobile phone software application when it is released, to easily grow your connections on all of your professional and personal online social networks!<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>The &#8220;new normal&#8221; is that most of us will have more employers in our lifetime than did our parents, which means your next employer will likely not be your last employer.  Continuing to nurture and grow your online professional social networks, even after you have found your dream job, will accelerate your career growth for years to come!<code><br ></code><code><br ></code></p>
<p>- Marsh (President)</p>
<a href='http://socialgrowblog.com/six-things-you-should-do-to-leverage-your-professional-online-social-networks-to-more-quickly-find-your-next-job/' class='retweet ' >Six Things You Should Do to Leverage Your Professional Online Social Networks to More Quickly Find Your Next Job</a>]]></content:encoded>
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