It’s clear that in the past half-decade or so, the way we communicate has changed. The change has happened so fast compared to past trends, that most people and businesses are still catching up. More and more people and businesses, however, are jumping on this new way of communicating with their customers and potential users of their products or services. This wave, as it’s referred to in Socialnomics, the book out by Erik Qualman, is the ‘Social Media Revolution’.
Between Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Digg, and all the others, social media has become the #1 activity on the internet. In fact, Facebook users alone out-number any country not named “China” or “India”.
Click here to learn more about Socialnomics by Erik Qualman
The Social Media revolution has grown quicker than any other method of communication that had come before. It took radio 38 years to reach 50 million users. It took television 13 years. The internet? Only four years. Does it surprise you at all that in 2009 alone, Facebook jumped by 200 million users?
So how does this affect you or our business? Well, social media is the perfect place for users to share their opinions on products or services. For example, out of the world’s top largest brands, 25% of search-engine-generated links about those brands come from user-generated content—not the company. There are a lot of messages out there about every business. It isn’t just teenagers out there talking about whether Jenny is going out with Bobby, either. The fastest growing segment on Facebook is 55-65 year-old females!
ValpoLife.com and PortageLife.com are right in the thick of the Social Media revolution, with articles, photos, and videos that allow us to utilize these networks and help spread our message, along with all of the good news from the Valparaiso and Portage people, organizations, and businesses.(UPDATE: this is now over 7,800 as the fastest growing and largest social media network serving Northwest Indiana) PortageLifeLife reaches 2,300+ Faceook users every day . Would you have thought that 2,300 people would be on Facebook and interested in only positive stuff about Portage, Indiana?
One of the more poignant take-aways from the Socialnomics is the idea that in the future, you will no longer have to search for products and services. The Social Media Revolution will require the products and services to find you through social media. With the Social Media Revolution continuing to grow, when will you and your company join the Revolution?
"My association with ValpoLife.com has been exceptional. As one of the first business owners to utilize their website, I recognized immediately what an amazing addition this was to our entire community. Too many media outlets focus on the negative things that happen in any community, but ValpoLife.com focuses exclusively on all of the fantastic events, activities, people, and businesses that Valparaiso and Porter County as a whole have to offer. The amount of information, news, articles, results, and overall content is mind-boggling. There is truly something for everyone, and the site is updated daily to remain current and fresh.
As a business owner, it’s important that my dental practices be portrayed in the most accurate and positive light possible. Chris Mahlman and his team have always gone “above and beyond” the call of duty to help us to promote our business and educate the community about what is new and exciting in the world of dentistry. I can’t thank ValpoLife.com enough for all that they have done for Valparaiso and my businesses over the years. We are truly blessed to have this group as a major, positive contributor to our quality of life."
- Dr. Jim Arnold, Smiles By Arnold & Associates
"I have worked with Chris on some things for ValpoLife and have a great admiration for his way of doing business. the client is first, first, first. you don't find people who share your ideals in business very often. the speed and accuracy of what they do is refreshing in a world of we'll get to that. i am excited about the new portage life edition and all the other new life projects to come. the response to our web video and profile on valpolife has been fanatastic and i look foward to many more mutual projects."
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value
- Fred Cicco: John Cicco's Menswear, IDPlus Marketing
"In times that almost always seem to be filled with bad and even worse news, it's been great to see Chris and his team focus on the positive. ValpoLife.com does a great job telling the stories through words, photos and videos. There is much to be said for a strong work ethic, led by Chris."
- Kevin Brinegar: President of Indiana Chamber of Commerce
"I recently began advertising with Valpolife.com and so far it has been a wonderful partnership. They have a real sense of urgency with regards to the way they conduct their business and the way they promote mine. Thanks Valpolife.com!"
- Erin Bertollini: Director of Food & Beverage at Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza
"Thanks to ValpoLife for all the great support and coverage. You're the best!"
- Bob Franko, Vice President of Marketing & Development of Porter-Starke Services
"A different kind of testimonial for a different kind of company. ValpoLife is geeky in a good way, passionate in an explosive way and professional in a perfect way. Delivering the "WOW" to your clients is not always easy, yet ValpoLife has done it over and over for our company. Not only do we get continual exposure on multiple social media sites, our business website on ValpoLife was created in less then 24 hours, launched shortly after and has more pizzazz than our own site. This has been one of the best avenues for promoting our company and an exceptional value at the same time. Listen up Valparaiso, ValpoLife is making it easy for us to hop on board the internet shuttle....Blast off!"
- Donna Flanagin, Owner Flanagin's Bulk Mail Service
"I logged on to ValpoLife to watch the news of the day, week, etc., then I watched the Junior Triathlon video. I knew so many people, and was so inspired by their effort and your videos. As a native of Valparaiso, I just want to say how glad I am that I was able to meet y'all. You are such an asset to our community, and I am so grateful for ValpoLife. I hope you feel appreciated, because you work so hard, and you add so much to this community!"
- Cathy Brown, Owner Valpo Velvet Ice Cream Shoppe
Thanks so much for being so kind and easy to work with. It sure is rare to meet people such as ValpoLife with such a great attitude and outlook on life. We share a lot of the same thoughts and beliefs."
- Andrew Porter, Project Manager at Steindler Signs & Graphix
"I appreciate the casual grace by which Valpo Life handles our content. I let them know a good story, tell them what I want linked, how much of the content I want posted and they do the rest. And then they email you to let you know it's up and give you a link you can send to friends and family.”
- Nat Finn, Golden Technologies
"Contributing to ValpoLife is as easy as writing and sending an email. Anytime I have something new to say about the business, I only have to send an email to see it 'magically' appear on the ValpoLife site. I have never had to wait longer than a day to see the new post, and usually it is done within a few hours."
- Jesse Harper, Owner, Dogfish Productions
"I can't say enough good things about ValpoLife! You'd be crazy not to take advantage of what they offer. Its so convenient, so quick, so easy to get your information online. If you are a business in town and you're not using ValpoLife you're missing the boat."
- Ben Lamb, GracePoint
"ValpoLife.com staff are so easy to work with and seem excited to help me get my information out to our community. It truly is as simple as me sending a quick email to my contact at ValpoLife.com and within no time at all, I have a link to view my press release and/or photos on their site. We are blessed to have ValpoLife.com sharing our good news!"
- Melissa Westphal Benefiel, Resource Development & Marketing Director Porter County Aging & Community Services, Inc.
"I just wanted to let you know that we are very impressed with your entire organization! I have no idea how you can keep up with Valpo Life with informative, valid and upbeat articles in “now time.” You and your staff work very hard and have great vision! You should consider running a seminar for businesses on how your idea’s come to reality! Marketing has changed dramatically in a short time period, and your company is the cutting edge of what needs to be done and viewed by our community. Keep up the great work! It has been a pleasure working with you and your staff."
-Jan Stump, Owner, Tudor Floors Carpet One