• Facebook is still the 800# gorilla of social media marketing. To make the most of it, consider using Facebook Questions (introduced March 2011) to create community, or possibly creating a custom landing page (make one for free with Pagemodo) for a special event or other specific need. 
• Managing a Facebook page presents its own challenges. For some practical advice on how to do it well, check out these tips and download this handbook from Buddy Media.
• Does Twitter work for your business? If so, don't forget the value of #Twitterchats, reviewed in this article. And for information on how well Twitter works for you, try one of these tools.
• Web browsing has gone mobile, but has your website followed suit? Here are some good tips for making your website mobile and for checking functionality.
• Looking at social media advertising but not sure which platform is best? This article may help you decide.
• Worried about missing out on the latest social media tools? This post lists 60 (!) you may not have heard of yet.

Lessons on Integrating Old with New from a Visit to Rome

One of the biggest challenges facing business today is how to integrate traditional, old, marketing techniques and tools with new tools and new media.

Some companies ignore new opportunities. Some toss out all history and migrate completely to only new tools, relegating their previous efforts to the garbage can. Neither of those options is as effective as finding a happy medium, though, using the best of the old and the new to make your company outstanding.

I was reminded of the fact that embracing the old and integrating it with the new can create the most memorable efforts by a vist to Rome last month. My friends live just blocks away from the Colosseum, and Roman ruins literally dot the streets around their place. But instead of knocking them down, putting them behind walls or otherwise separating the ruins from modern life, their neighborhood has integrated them into the fabric of the community by creating open viewing areas and making old ruins a part of everyday life. The photo above shows a portion of the ancient Roman aqueduct that has had a modern home built into and around it!

How can your company embrace extisting or even old marketing tools, materials and information and integrate them with new ideas to create something that stands out? Do you have a classic mascot or campaign with retro appeal? Does your company's history lend itself to a modern telling of your story to connect with customers? Can you use parts of existing collateral materials to produce something new to expand your audience reach?

Take a look at what you already have and try to see it in a new way. You may be surprised at what you can come up with by applying a few modern twists. And if you need help seeing how your company's past can move you toward the future, just give us a call.