The election is over, political ads are removed from television, and we can all rest easy for four more years. WRONG. It’s time to vote again, in the Facebook Site Governance proposed documents. Voting started 2 days ago, but fear not, you can vote up until December 10th at 12pm (PST). You can vote here.

Here is what Facebook had to say about the vote:
Recently, Facebook posted proposed revisions to its Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) and Data Use Policy and invited users to provide comments on these new documents. Now, please vote to let Facebook know which documents you prefer to govern the site.

Don’t worry, you’ll be able to read up on the proposed changes when you vote. It’s a bit long, so here’s a shortened version thanks to Mashable.

Here is what you’re voting for:

• To get rid of user voting on its governance changes; instead, the company will allow members to provide feedback by submitting questions to Erin Egan, Facebook's chief privacy officer, as well as hosting webcasts to address comments and inquiries.

• Share user data with its affiliates, including Instagram, which the company acquired in April.

• Set "new filters" for managing incoming messages to users' inboxes.

• Change how they "refer" to certain products.

• Clarify exactly who can see what on user timelines.

Why vote:
You’re basically voting on whether or not Facebook is going to have these open votes again as well. So far 176,728 have voted to not change the proposed documents. At least 30% of all active registered users must vote in order for the results to be "binding," according to Facebook. Any less than that, and the vote will only be "advisory" -- meaning the social network can go ahead with its proposal. Mashable stated that in a previous vote that took place only 342,632 users cast their ballots -- that was 0.038% of Facebook's then-population. If you want your voice to be heard, vote. If not, that’s okay too.

If you want to be notified about future proposed changes to the documents governing Facebook, like the Facebook Site Governance Page.

The election is over, political ads are removed from television, and we can all rest easy for four more years. WRONG. It’s time to vote again, in the Facebook Site Governance proposed documents. Voting started 2 days ago, but fear not, you can vote up until December 10th at 12pm (PST). You can vote here.

Here is what Facebook had to say about the vote:
Recently, Facebook posted proposed revisions to its Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) and Data Use Policy and invited users to provide comments on these new documents. Now, please vote to let Facebook know which documents you prefer to govern the site.

Don’t worry, you’ll be able to read up on the proposed changes when you vote. It’s a bit long, so here’s a shortened version thanks to Mashable.

Here is what you’re voting for:

• To get rid of user voting on its governance changes; instead, the company will allow members to provide feedback by submitting questions to Erin Egan, Facebook's chief privacy officer, as well as hosting webcasts to address comments and inquiries.

• Share user data with its affiliates, including Instagram, which the company acquired in April.

• Set "new filters" for managing incoming messages to users' inboxes.

• Change how they "refer" to certain products.

• Clarify exactly who can see what on user timelines.

Why vote:
You’re basically voting on whether or not Facebook is going to have these open votes again as well. So far 176,728 have voted to not change the proposed documents. At least 30% of all active registered users must vote in order for the results to be "binding," according to Facebook. Any less than that, and the vote will only be "advisory" -- meaning the social network can go ahead with its proposal. Mashable stated that in a previous vote that took place only 342,632 users cast their ballots -- that was 0.038% of Facebook's then-population. If you want your voice to be heard, vote. If not, that’s okay too.

If you want to be notified about future proposed changes to the documents governing Facebook, like the Facebook Site Governance Page.

Yesterday, the US Government took to its blog to announce that all the rumors of earth ending on December 21,2012 are false. Wait, what? Our government has a blog? Yeah, I didn't know that either. Apparently NASA has been receiving tons of letters asking about the end of the world, so they posted the top questions asked and answers to them.

I did find this blog to be rather informative in regards to the origin of this doomsday prediction:

“The story started with claims that Nibiru, a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians, is headed toward Earth. This catastrophe was initially predicted for May 2003, but when nothing happened the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012 and linked to the end of one of the cycles in the ancient Mayan calendar at the winter solstice in 2012 -- hence the predicted doomsday date of December 21, 2012.”

Going on to say that:

“Nibiru and other stories about wayward planets are an Internet hoax. There is no factual basis for these claims. If Nibiru or Planet X were real and headed for an encounter with the Earth in 2012, astronomers would have been tracking it for at least the past decade, and it would be visible by now to the naked eye. Obviously, it does not exist. Eris is real, but it is a dwarf planet similar to Pluto that will remain in the outer solar system; the closest it can come to Earth is about 4 billion miles.”

I could go on to share other answers that I found to be interesting, but you can go here to read them all.

Dealer Takeaway
You can learn something from this dealers! Blogging increases your rank search organically, so find out the top questions your customers are asking and answer them in a blog!

Yesterday, the US Government took to its blog to announce that all the rumors of earth ending on December 21,2012 are false. Wait, what? Our government has a blog? Yeah, I didn't know that either. Apparently NASA has been receiving tons of letters asking about the end of the world, so they posted the top questions asked and answers to them.

I did find this blog to be rather informative in regards to the origin of this doomsday prediction:

“The story started with claims that Nibiru, a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians, is headed toward Earth. This catastrophe was initially predicted for May 2003, but when nothing happened the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012 and linked to the end of one of the cycles in the ancient Mayan calendar at the winter solstice in 2012 -- hence the predicted doomsday date of December 21, 2012.”

Going on to say that:

“Nibiru and other stories about wayward planets are an Internet hoax. There is no factual basis for these claims. If Nibiru or Planet X were real and headed for an encounter with the Earth in 2012, astronomers would have been tracking it for at least the past decade, and it would be visible by now to the naked eye. Obviously, it does not exist. Eris is real, but it is a dwarf planet similar to Pluto that will remain in the outer solar system; the closest it can come to Earth is about 4 billion miles.”

I could go on to share other answers that I found to be interesting, but you can go here to read them all.

Dealer Takeaway
You can learn something from this dealers! Blogging increases your rank search organically, so find out the top questions your customers are asking and answer them in a blog!

Have you wondered why certain things online go viral? Why do we share each other’s blogs, links, and video content? Think about it. Is it because you want to promote a brand? No. Is it because you follow a user religiously and want to share everything and anything they post? Nope. 

People share content because it makes them look smart/insightful/funny/..etc. In fact, back in 1966 Ernest Dichter’s study on Word of Mouth reveals 64% of sharing is about the sharer, themselves, desiring to:

• gain attention
• show they have inside info
• help
• reach out
• show friendship
• show humor
• provide information

Only 33% has anything to do with the actual product or brand experience.

Sharing online content is an integral part of modern life. People forward newspaper articles to their friends, pass YouTube videos to their relatives, and send restaurant reviews to their neighbors. Indeed, 59% of people report that they frequently share online content with others (Allsop, Bassett, and Hoskins 2007), and someone tweets a link to a New York Times story once every four seconds (Harris 2010). Emotional aspects of content may also affect whether it is shared or not. Many people discuss their emotional experiences with others and customers report a greater word of mouth if they feel their level of customer service they received was extremely satisfactory. Remember that Publix woman that shared her experience at a local store? 

Angus Nelson, founder of Daddyapproves.com states, “You and I share out of our own self-interest. The goal is to cause followers to feel powerful ...about themselves. On one level, this may seem like you're feeding people’s narcissism. However, on another level, your brand has an incredible opportunity to generously serve and help others. And it’s this very perspective that makes all the difference in how your content is perceived.”

Why do you think we share certain things and not others? Post your thoughts in the comment section below!

Have you wondered why certain things online go viral? Why do we share each other’s blogs, links, and video content? Think about it. Is it because you want to promote a brand? No. Is it because you follow a user religiously and want to share everything and anything they post? Nope. 

People share content because it makes them look smart/insightful/funny/..etc. In fact, back in 1966 Ernest Dichter’s study on Word of Mouth reveals 64% of sharing is about the sharer, themselves, desiring to:

• gain attention
• show they have inside info
• help
• reach out
• show friendship
• show humor
• provide information

Only 33% has anything to do with the actual product or brand experience.

Sharing online content is an integral part of modern life. People forward newspaper articles to their friends, pass YouTube videos to their relatives, and send restaurant reviews to their neighbors. Indeed, 59% of people report that they frequently share online content with others (Allsop, Bassett, and Hoskins 2007), and someone tweets a link to a New York Times story once every four seconds (Harris 2010). Emotional aspects of content may also affect whether it is shared or not. Many people discuss their emotional experiences with others and customers report a greater word of mouth if they feel their level of customer service they received was extremely satisfactory. Remember that Publix woman that shared her experience at a local store? 

Angus Nelson, founder of Daddyapproves.com states, “You and I share out of our own self-interest. The goal is to cause followers to feel powerful ...about themselves. On one level, this may seem like you're feeding people’s narcissism. However, on another level, your brand has an incredible opportunity to generously serve and help others. And it’s this very perspective that makes all the difference in how your content is perceived.”

Why do you think we share certain things and not others? Post your thoughts in the comment section below!

Yes, the election is over and I’m grateful to not be bombarded with political ads every time my favorite show is on commercial break for the next four years. That being said, there are some lessons we can learn the race for the White House as far as brand management goes.

1. Stand for something and stay on message
Quite simply, the more rigorously you can define your brand story and control the projection of it, the better the marketplace will understand what you stand for—and be ready to buy from you.

2. Where are your brand advocates?
Bain & Associates research shows that the brand that is most highly recommended in its category grows 2.5 times faster than the category average. That finding clearly demonstrates the advantages of encouraging your customers to become brand advocates.

3.Remain consistent across all forms of media
The more channels of communications you decide to open means the more difficult it will become to ensure the same message across all platforms of media. It is important to be consistent, and control your communications to ensure that they all speak with one voice.

4. React Quickly
Negative publicity can be overcome—so long as you react quickly and ensure that everyone involved in dealing with the crisis is armed with the same consistent information and approved response.

For example: Remember when Coca-Cola refused to admit its water brand, Dasani, when launched in the United Kingdom, was actually purified tap water produced in a factory in London? Bad call. By contrast, Robinsons sensibly recalled its Fruit Shoots drink recently as a precaution over bottle cap safety—before damage could be done to brand image.

No matter if you’re in the business of politics or commerce, the same rules apply: Keep the message consistent, gain and sustain customer goodwill, and respond quickly to both negative and positive publicity.

Yes, the election is over and I’m grateful to not be bombarded with political ads every time my favorite show is on commercial break for the next four years. That being said, there are some lessons we can learn the race for the White House as far as brand management goes.

1. Stand for something and stay on message
Quite simply, the more rigorously you can define your brand story and control the projection of it, the better the marketplace will understand what you stand for—and be ready to buy from you.

2. Where are your brand advocates?
Bain & Associates research shows that the brand that is most highly recommended in its category grows 2.5 times faster than the category average. That finding clearly demonstrates the advantages of encouraging your customers to become brand advocates.

3.Remain consistent across all forms of media
The more channels of communications you decide to open means the more difficult it will become to ensure the same message across all platforms of media. It is important to be consistent, and control your communications to ensure that they all speak with one voice.

4. React Quickly
Negative publicity can be overcome—so long as you react quickly and ensure that everyone involved in dealing with the crisis is armed with the same consistent information and approved response.

For example: Remember when Coca-Cola refused to admit its water brand, Dasani, when launched in the United Kingdom, was actually purified tap water produced in a factory in London? Bad call. By contrast, Robinsons sensibly recalled its Fruit Shoots drink recently as a precaution over bottle cap safety—before damage could be done to brand image.

No matter if you’re in the business of politics or commerce, the same rules apply: Keep the message consistent, gain and sustain customer goodwill, and respond quickly to both negative and positive publicity.

Don’t fight it dealers. Mobile email is here to stay, "According to a study by Litmus, more email is now read on mobile (36 percent) than on a desktop (33 percent) or via webmail (31 percent), and opens in mobile devices have increased a full 80 percent in the last six months," notes Stephanie Miller in an article at the Email Experience Council.

You must optimize for emails on mobile devices now, whether you like it or not. So here are some tips to help you do just that:

KISS : Keep it simplistically simple
Mobile devices can delete emails in a flash, keep your subject headlines simple, catchy, and most importantly short.

Test, Test, and Test
Never stop testing technical aspects of your email campaign. If an image doesn’t load correctly or your link is out of whack, your subscribers won’t be too forgiving. "Subscribers will lose interest if they have to keep scrolling to understand your message or if they get stuck waiting for data to download," Miller notes.

Prominently display your links
Smaller screens can make links obscure. Set links apart and make sure they are easy to click on.

Define your call-to-action
Your offer must be clear to the consumer. If they aren't sure what to do, they won’t stick around.

Time it right
When are your consumers checking their email on their mobile device? If you don’t know - find out. There is no perfect answer here, but remember everyone has a daily routine. An info-graphic released by Pure360, an email marketing software company, breaks down the best and worst times to send emails.  Generally, email open and click rates varies about 10% throughout the day.

Doesn't seem too hard right? Remember, be flexible! Customers decide when they read their email, you just have to be ready with a campaign for desktop and mobile devices.

Don’t fight it dealers. Mobile email is here to stay, "According to a study by Litmus, more email is now read on mobile (36 percent) than on a desktop (33 percent) or via webmail (31 percent), and opens in mobile devices have increased a full 80 percent in the last six months," notes Stephanie Miller in an article at the Email Experience Council.

You must optimize for emails on mobile devices now, whether you like it or not. So here are some tips to help you do just that:

KISS : Keep it simplistically simple
Mobile devices can delete emails in a flash, keep your subject headlines simple, catchy, and most importantly short.

Test, Test, and Test
Never stop testing technical aspects of your email campaign. If an image doesn’t load correctly or your link is out of whack, your subscribers won’t be too forgiving. "Subscribers will lose interest if they have to keep scrolling to understand your message or if they get stuck waiting for data to download," Miller notes.

Prominently display your links
Smaller screens can make links obscure. Set links apart and make sure they are easy to click on.

Define your call-to-action
Your offer must be clear to the consumer. If they aren't sure what to do, they won’t stick around.

Time it right
When are your consumers checking their email on their mobile device? If you don’t know - find out. There is no perfect answer here, but remember everyone has a daily routine. An info-graphic released by Pure360, an email marketing software company, breaks down the best and worst times to send emails.  Generally, email open and click rates varies about 10% throughout the day.

Doesn't seem too hard right? Remember, be flexible! Customers decide when they read their email, you just have to be ready with a campaign for desktop and mobile devices.