Social media is all around us -- Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., etc. How familiar are you with all of this "new media"? And, do you have trouble explaining it to other people? One of my favorite tech writers, David Pogue of the New York Times, recently wrote a great column "For Those Facebook Left Behind". He goes through a very basic overview of what is out there, including "why bother", why not, and what's similar. David explains that when he speaks about these various things, depending on the location (and the age of the audience), a lot of people don't know about social media. As he puts it: "how would they know? All of these buzzy social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter sort of crept up on us. The government never mailed fliers to every household explaining what it's all about."

If you've never read any of David's columns and articles (both on-line and in the print newspaper), you're missing a great source on all that's techie. I've learned about everything from the best digital camera to Internet security to how to Tweet. So definitely check out David's latest column (and browse through some of his past articles as well).

As far as Social Media -- if you're looking to integrate it into your current marketing but aren't sure how, let me help you make it work for your business. This includes deciding if you want to use social media and, if so, what; figuring out how to set things up; making the most of LinkedIn; using e-mail marketing; or some other aspect of today's marketing opportunities. Remember, just because this stuff exists, doesn't mean you have to use it. Lena L. West, an award-winning social media consultant, blogger, speaker, journalist, and technologist, counsels that social media is not instead of the marketing tools you are using now, it supplements what you are doing now. And if what you are doing works well, don't get rid of it. (Lena was one of the first people I heard speak about social media who made sense and gave me the courage to get involved; she's in the process of updating her website, changing her company name, and doing some other great things, which is why I haven't given you a link.)

I'm slowly getting used to being back in this time zone -- there is still the sense that going to Japan was liking following Alice down the rabbit hole. Being in Japan is very different from being in NJ (not counting visiting Mitsuwa, the Japanese market in Edgewater). One of the many questions/comments I get about Japan is "Isn't Japan very expensive?" And my usual response is, not really as long as you're not trying to live like an American. Those of you who followed my blog entries and photos saw some of the very expensive "American" items for sale (a box of cake mix for $7.50 for instance). A chai latte at Starbucks costs way more in Japan than in NJ (found that out last year, didn't try it this year). But picking things up for dinner at the Seven Eleven or the Family Mart was very reasonable (and very tasty). The nice hotel we stayed at in Tokyo was probably cheaper than an equivalent hotel in New York City. And we were able to enjoy being Japanese, or at least as close as we could get.

I've never understood why people travel to new and different places and expect or want them to be just like home. The Rolling Stones tell us "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with". I don't want to get involved with personal relationships, but this also applies to how you relate to your surroundings. The whole point of going somewhere else is to have a new experience (or repeat a past one). Whether it's different food, different places to shop, or just a different way of life -- enjoy them! One thing I hate about the "malling of America" is that these days everywhere you go there are the same chain stores and chain restaurants. I remember my excitement many years ago when I was in Texas and made my first trip to Neiman Marcus. Now there's one in the mall in Paramus, NJ. Apparently, though, one of the silver linings of the current economic slump is that as chains close their stores in malls, local businesses have been taking the spaces.

So the next time you travel somewhere new, be open to what's different. Soak up some new sights, sounds, and tastes. And enjoy the moment!

Are you interested in trying e-mail marketing? I am now a Certified Constant Contact Expert and a Constant Contact Solution Provider. Which means I can help you with your e-mail marketing -- whether it's helping with set-up, writing the content, or doing something more advanced. I can even set up your contact lists, help you choose a template, and develop your e-mail schedule. To learn more, click here.

E-mail marketing is way to stay in front of your customers. Whether it's an e-letter (like this one), notice of a special event or sale, or just a holiday greeting, e-mail marketing should be a part of your marketing package.