Apparently the injury to Dave's hand has affected more than his typing. For whatever reason he's given me the keys to the blog and entrusted me for the day. Let's all wish him a speedy recovery, but do keep in mind the obvious opportunity to guest post here while his faculties may not be completely intact. Kidding aside, I'm sure Dave would appreciate a few more guest posts while his ability to type is limited.

The Immeasurable Value with the Greater Return – by Steven Bradley

A few months ago here on the trail, there began a discussion on the value of social media marketing. Specifically, looking for more information about the following:

1. How to plan a program ( with a real-world example)
2. How to time manage said program
3. How to measure and manage costs
4. How to measure it (KPI)
5. How to determine ROI (return on investment)

The discussion continued, first with responses to the above questions from some offering social media marketing services and then with a look at the qualitative value of social media. If you need a refresher, you can read each of the three posts;

• The Value of Social Media Marketing
• The Value of Social Media Marketing Part II
• Qualitative research and Social Media Marketing

The Qualitative Approach

I want to continue the discussion, focusing mostly on the last of the posts above, the qualitative value of social media marketing. There's a tendency for some to want to find and measure the direct ROI that comes from playing in social communities, but most of the value is indirect and more difficult to measure.

Are TwitterWhores the wave of the future?

 ..so I was following TechCrunch’s unhealthy obsession with Scoble selling out. This time around it’s not about him selling ad space on his blog, but actually Twitter related;

“he’s experimenting with Twittering adverts for perennial sponsor Seagate. He later twittered “I am just having a little fun getting a conversation about microblog advertising going”

This all made me uneasy and being typographically challenged I created this;

… is that where it’s headed?

*The following is a guest post from David Snyder; life saver and SEO blogging junkie.

I let out a juvenile giggle every time I listen to SEO’s and other Internet marketers’ rail off their initial strategies, strategies that rarely involve high quality content creation plans. So often the cliché, “Content is King,” is screamed through blogs, but rarely is it the king of online marketing plans.

Without quality content why would anyone come to your site? Without quality content why is your site relevant enough to rank? Without quality content how will you convince anyone to utilize your site the way you want it to be utilized?

Ok, step back. Understand something before we continue my rant, coming from a heavy writing background, having taught writing for several years, the reason I got into Internet marketing was my love for writing.

So, obviously I am biased.

If you are still reading this post, it is possible your content needs some help.

Well, since my busted friggen hand is making posting next to impossible, I thought some entertainment might be in order. This video I came across last month and is scary, educational and real funny; all in one shot. Johnny Long gives a great performance from last year's DefCon... do check it out; I guarantee you'll learn and laugh (OMG an SEO making guarantees..eek!!)

Hi there… can u lend me a hand? I could use one.

Just a note to all that after a trip to the fracture clinic yesterday, seems my hand is actually broken (who knew?) - after spending the last few weeks thinking it was ‘just a bit of swelling’ – huh, freaky…

Next visit to the doc’ is Thursday (May 08) and so, for the next while, I shall be limited to one-handed typing which is not only frustrating, but a tad tiring strangely… Fortunately I have a few posts nearly done, but things will still likely be quieter here none-the-less… clients come first.

Talk to the hand

For now I have a funky fiberglass 1/2 cast which is like wearing a concrete glove (@$%&). Fortunately I can take it off to shower.. and scratch them itches (whew)...

If anyone out there feels like guest posting over the next while – go for it!! This would certainly be a great time to step up and blaze the trail – just don’t show me up ;0)

Until next time; play safe (seriously, lol)