Election Participation is Everything for Gen-Y

Tomorrow is the big day. The impact may be larger than you think in terms of youth voting. You see, there was more focus on Gen-Y than ever with this election and if we don't show up at the polls, once again we will have dropped the ball and proven that we are not yet ready to lead and take responsibility for the things happening in this country and the world.

There has been a tremendous push in the way the youth is reached and if the polls are no shows for Gen-Y, then marketers are going to have to rethink marketing plans to go along with this generation.

Social Media
For the last 2 years or so, Social Media has been pushed down the throats of marketers, PR reps, corporations, CEO and advertising campaigns. This election has been no exception.

Jeremiah Owyang, a research analyst at Forrester broke down the candidates response on the major social sites. He did it to show the lopsidedness that Obama has over Social Media yet if you add some numbers together there are a lot of people using Social Media to relate to the candidates.

Facebook
Obama: 2,379,102 supporters
McCain: 620,359 supporters
Total: 2,999,461

Myspace
Obama: Friends: 833,161
McCain: Friends: 217,811
Total: 1,050,972

YouTube
Obama: Channel Views: 18,413,110
McCain: Channel Views: 2,032,993
Total: 20,446,103

Twitter
Obama: @barackobama has 112,474 followers
McCain: @JohnMcCain (is it real?) 4,603 followers
Total: 117,077

These 2 men have an amazing stronghold on the Social Media landscape. If we estimate that Twitter has 2 million users, 5.9% of people on Twitter are following one of the Presidential Candidates.

How Will This Impact Social Media?
The numbers and the movement on these networks are the highest of any other users in the world. Their visibility is high, the conversations they spark are high and the attention they have grabbed are through the roof.

If the youth vote does not turn out, marketers will have to rethink how they use YouTube to market videos to Gen-Y. We know that views are not the end all statistic for market relevance or monetization, but if these videos that hit home cannot get us off the couch and into the polls, then well the future does not look bright for ROI or monetization on the platform.

Myspace and Facebook face the same dilemma. The noise that is occurring on the networks may be just that, noise. The groups, the online petitions the banners and avatars will mean nothing if no one goes to the polls.

Mainstream Media

• MTV held discussions with nearly every presidential candidate.
• CNN tapped into YouTube for debates and discussions.
• Current TV had live Tweets and will use Digg and Twitter all day tomorrow.
• Rick Sanchez is using Twitter for story angles.
• The Source, Rolling Stone, Vibe Magazine, Entertainment Weekly and other youth focused magazines had candidates grace the cover in a time when a bad month could mean doors closing

If the youth doesn't vote, we won't get another opportunity to have our voices heard like we did this time around. Why would companies like CNN put hard dollars into something that didn't make them money in the long run.

Why would MTV halt viewings of the Hills or other money making shows to put up election coverage if no one takes action?

Why would Rolling Stone put people on the cover if magazines won't sell?

Be heard.
Gen-Y has the ability to be a real threat to change in this nation. It's part of the reason that Barack Obama has come this far. We want to see a difference. It all boils down to IF WE ARE GOING TO STAND UP AND MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE.

I don't care who, where or why you voted, just vote. Get involved and take all this precious technology we have at our disposal, learn about what is happening in our world, in your backyard and do something about it. Voting is not the end all, be all, but it is a baby step in actually doing something that is bigger than your XBox, bigger than iTunes and bigger than that text from the girl at the coffee shop.

Let's prove that we can be Generation WE. Let's show them that Social Media doesn't just make noise, it also produces.

It's on you.

Greg Rollett

No One Leaves Unaware

I do a lot of events. I'm talking lots. Concerts, conventions, launch parties, networking events, seminars and whatever else that keeps me from going home at night.

The biggest drawback is that most booths, vendors, performers are unprepared what what happens next. They forget about real engagement that lasts when the lights go on and the alcohol fades (or comes out, depends on your personal habits).

No one wants to be sold and no one wants crap just to get handed crap.
What we do want is something that will engage us, get us thinking and most importantly; get us talking!

How do we do that?

Get something in their hands

This works up at least 2 of the human senses and can really get their brain going. Touch and site. One good example is cell phones. Show them how they can use their cell phone to get your updates, product, discounts, alerts, whatever. My best example is having a band on stage, telling their fans to text their bands' name to their shortcode and everyone in the audience gets a text back with a link to download a free song. They don't start playing again until everyone does it. That is power in your hands.

Shock and awe

On the road with Rock For Hunger during the recent Warped Tour I am man enough to admit that the non-profit next to us had it going on. The Warped Eco Initiative had the kids going crazy to recycle, had everyone buzzing about the big bags with garbage in it and created memories for everyone that participated. When putting together your campaign, make it fun and make people go out and do something good that is shocking, creates a (small) scene and then rewards them.

Call to action

What do you want me to do? Your banner with your website and logo looks sweet, but what is the point? Telling me to sign-up, buy a CD, come out for a free consultation, etc is the key. If you only have a mailing list, make it fun, but make sure that people know what to do and why they are doing it. If you don't ask people won't do it.

I know almost all my readers go to live events. *What makes you remember the people, the companies, etc when you get home and the excitement goes away?* Please join in and make everyone's lives better when they go out!

-Greg Rollett

Moe's = Terrible Customer Service - Post Lunch Thoughts

(Read Pre-Lunch Moe's Post Here)

So we got to Moe's a few minutes after 12 to get in the back of a long line, many with cell phones in hands. Sweet, the free burrito thing is going down. Our turn to order, I flip out the Sidekick and show the Burrito making lady the text. Not only were they not accepting this virtual coupon but she had an attitude to boost. My group of 5 was very disappointed and apparently we weren't the only ones. We stayed. Sweet tea sucked. Chicken was cold. Staff was rude. Oh, and no FREE burritos.

Many people waited in the 10-15 minute line during rush (lunch) hour to get their free burrito and were told at the counter that it was a no go. Why? This franchise was not partaking.

So not only did they not counter this spark in customers but honoring the coupon, they couldn't even give out a free soda, chips or something else of small value. Worst of all they did it with an attitude.

So yea, you won't see me and my crew at Moe's anymore! Moe's boycott in full effect. Way to ruin a perfectly good promotion. To the Moe's that did honor the coupon I applaud you, but your franchisees need a swick kick in the ass and maybe a course in customer service 101. Moe's lost out in the opportunity to gain new REPEAT customers, you know the best kind.

So siyanara Moe's. Chipotle has cheaper and better food anyways!

-G-Ro

(and no I won't even help you get your localized Twitter going, learn it your damn self)

Viral Marketing With Moe's Southwest Grill - Pre Lunch

Well, last night was not my best choices in having a few (read: a lot) of beers. Now it was in celebration of a co-workers 50th birthday (which is quite awesome, because she rocks harder than most of my 20 something friends). Why is this important? I needed some greasy food for lunch today.

What happened next was, "Yo Greg text Moe's to 22700 and get a free burrito."

Sweet.

Now, in less than 10 minutes this message had been forwarded to my Sidekick phone book, my Twitter Tweets, Facebook profile and office IM. The outcome, a little lunch party at Moe's, all because of their little text message campaign.

I'm sure this isn't the first time they have done something like this, but I am certain that it isn't the last. The reply I received from Moe's was

Glad ur in the neighborhood. Stop by for ur free Moes Burrito. Simply show this text at the register. 4 future offers rply MOR

Brilliant! The fact that I can now reply with MOR and get more free burritos will ensure that I become a repeat customer.

I will do the post lunch wrap-up to see if anyone else there used this viral tactic as well as how the bill still added up with the free burrito.

(Do you think I can get them on Twitter? Seems like this would be right up there ally-I'm on it, business cards in hand)

-G-Ro