Why Digital Strategy and Online Video are Important

During Social Media Week in Rome (Italy) Elena Radaelli (Augmendy) interviewd me and Leah D’Emilio (CCO, itive.net) about social media strategy. The video interview is in Italian but has been transcribed into English below. We mention some interesting points about digital strategy and online video, enjoy it!

Elena: We are here with Andrea Vascellari and Leah D’Emilio, respectively the CEO and CCO of itive.net. How do you help businesses with digital strategy?

Andrea: Most importantly, before anything else, you must understand what the client needs, look at their objectives together, analyze where they are coming from and see what they want to achieve. Then we create a solid overall strategic plan including “tactical” moves which allow them to achieve their objectives. It’s like creating or improving their digital DNA to succeed online. Because today it’s not just the fact about being online, you also have to be ‘smart’ about it. Leah, for example, is one of our team members who specializes in new media, like online video and related tactics.

Elena: Therefore, video is very important. How do you use video to launch and promote businesses?

Leah: Yes, because a video is something very personal where you can explain something in an easier way, more…

Andrea: Efficiently, let’s say…

Leah: Yes, the person who looks at your site, whether its a dot com or on Facebook, they can better understand your product or service in a deeper way. Video also allows you to create a more fun and engaging experience!

Andrea: A common mistake that many business owners make online today is showing a brand that is cold and faceless. They don’t have personality and they don’t create a relationship of engagement with their target audience, or if they are b2b (business to business), with the potential businesses that they want to reach and talk to.

Video reduces this distance, but you have to do it intelligently. Leah and our team are highly specialized and very strong in this. Obviously, there are other tactics you can put into the mix to have a super “social media cocktail”.

Elena: Obviously, you can’t leave out social media in particular Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, which should business have?

Andrea: It depends. Because there are so many social networks – and in general many sites that are online are becoming social – therefore we are starting to have an over-saturation of social networks in an increasingly larger number of niches. One important thing we must evaluate then is which social network is better to adopt. You have to look at the needs and objectives of the client. It could be Twitter, Facebook, Flickr or it could be other social networks. There are many social networks out there. For example now here at Social Media Week there are many new startups being born and presented. What we do is help our clients to select the right strategic path to follow including the best social media tactics to adopt.

Elena: Many thanks to Andrea Vascellari and Leah D’Emilio
Andrea and Leah: Thank you!

Why Digital Strategy and Online Video are Important

During Social Media Week in Rome (Italy) Elena Radaelli (Augmendy) interviewd me and Leah D’Emilio (CCO, itive.net) about social media strategy. The video interview is in Italian but has been transcribed into English below. We mention some interesting points about digital strategy and online video, enjoy it!

Elena: We are here with Andrea Vascellari and Leah D’Emilio, respectively the CEO and CCO of itive.net. How do you help businesses with digital strategy?

Andrea: Most importantly, before anything else, you must understand what the client needs, look at their objectives together, analyze where they are coming from and see what they want to achieve. Then we create a solid overall strategic plan including “tactical” moves which allow them to achieve their objectives. It’s like creating or improving their digital DNA to succeed online. Because today it’s not just the fact about being online, you also have to be ‘smart’ about it. Leah, for example, is one of our team members who specializes in new media, like online video and related tactics.

Elena: Therefore, video is very important. How do you use video to launch and promote businesses?

Leah: Yes, because a video is something very personal where you can explain something in an easier way, more…

Andrea: Efficiently, let’s say…

Leah: Yes, the person who looks at your site, whether its a dot com or on Facebook, they can better understand your product or service in a deeper way. Video also allows you to create a more fun and engaging experience!

Andrea: A common mistake that many business owners make online today is showing a brand that is cold and faceless. They don’t have personality and they don’t create a relationship of engagement with their target audience, or if they are b2b (business to business), with the potential businesses that they want to reach and talk to.

Video reduces this distance, but you have to do it intelligently. Leah and our team are highly specialized and very strong in this. Obviously, there are other tactics you can put into the mix to have a super “social media cocktail”.

Elena: Obviously, you can’t leave out social media in particular Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, which should business have?

Andrea: It depends. Because there are so many social networks – and in general many sites that are online are becoming social – therefore we are starting to have an over-saturation of social networks in an increasingly larger number of niches. One important thing we must evaluate then is which social network is better to adopt. You have to look at the needs and objectives of the client. It could be Twitter, Facebook, Flickr or it could be other social networks. There are many social networks out there. For example now here at Social Media Week there are many new startups being born and presented. What we do is help our clients to select the right strategic path to follow including the best social media tactics to adopt.

Elena: Many thanks to Andrea Vascellari and Leah D’Emilio
Andrea and Leah: Thank you!

How to Use Social Media to Market your Organization

Episode: VMC #339 – How to Use Social Media to Market your Organization [right click to download the source file – ‘Save the link as…’, video-player available below]

When you start thinking about how to use social media to market your organization, stop thinking about how you are going to find customers and start thinking about how to help them find you…

This video is about a nice story that Eric Schwartzman shared at Ignite this week in Rome (Italy) during Social Media Week. I’m sure you’ll find it interesting!

Andrea

Digital Brains

Episode: VMC #338 – Digital Brains [right click to download the source file – ‘Save the link as…’, video-player available below]

Forget about websites as you know them and think of websites as digital brains that people use or connect to in order to achieve thier objectives…

Here’s the video of the presentation I gave at Ignite this week in Rome (Italy) during Social Media Week (slides below). Enjoy it!

Andrea

(Special thanks to Livia Iacolare for shooting the video!)

Engaging Consumers – Social Media Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs

This week I had the pleasure of being invited by Eric Schwartzman to present as a guest speaker at his Social Media Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs in Rome (Italy) during Social Media Week. I talked about how you can engage consumers (current and potential) in new ways using social media.

In my presentation I shared:

  • Two case studies + Take aways (Teymur Madjderey aka Icedsoul, and Exclusive Sicily)
  • Some Interesting books
  • Special tips for entrepreneurs on strategic use of Twitter, Facebook and Slideshare

Of course, a special thanks to Eric and a digital hug to all the interesting entrepreneurs that I met at the venue!

Andrea

Eric Schwartzman & Andrea Vascellari
Eric Schwartzman & Andrea Vascellari – Photo Credit: Leah D’Emilio

Do as the Romans! – Social Media Week

This week I’ll be in Rome for Social Media Week. Together with me from the itive.net team will be Leah D’Emilio (Chief Communications Officer).

Here’s where you can find me:

  • Wed. 9 Feb. – I will be a guest speaker during a special social media session for entrepreneurs alongside LA based Online Communications Strategist Eric Schwartzman.
  • Web. 9 Feb – On stage at Ignite Italia. Info & venue here. My presentation: Digital Brains! -I’m sure many of you will find it interesting 😉 Leah D’Emilio has a ‘bomb’ presentation on Social Video 101… I already got a preview, but I can’t wait to see it again live!
  • Thu. 10 Feb. – Networking Happy Hour . This is where you want to be. THE meetup organized by Fabio Lalli, Indigeni Digitali & Co.

Aside from these official presentations, my agenda is already packed with meetings, etc. so stay tuned via twitter @vascellari and remember when in Rome…

Andrea