Social media, it's the buzz hitting the streets. We've all heard about social media and the social media tools like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and MySpace. At first we just racked it up to being another fad, but if you are in marketing you know these social media tools are mentioned almost daily in today's world.

When it comes to social media, the truth is there are some people who get it, some that don't understand it and others who just want to know more about how to use it in their marketing plan. I understand the confusion, which is why I want to talk about it.

Social media does have a role in marketing, but that role depends on your business and how it best fits the needs of your business. It also depends on the effort you are willing to put forward when it comes to social media. Learn the role social media can play in marketing and how it can benefit you as a company.

What is your 30 second commercial? What introduction do you use at networking events that creates interest? Learn how to develop a compelling 30 second commercial that will grab anyone's attention.

Would you like a free critique of your 30 second commercial? Just post it in the comments section and my viewers and I will provide you with tips on how to redefine and create interest.

It is the end of the year a time when those of us in marketing and advertising begin to make predicitions on the upcoming year. The truth is our marketplace is changing, we see this in the spending habits of consumers as well as in the economy. Consumers are looking for something more than a flashy ad or attention grabbing commercial when considering where to spend their hard earned money.

Even when the economy rebounds my belief is we will still be required to market differently the old ways simply are not enough anymore.

One of my favorite marketers is Gary Vaynerchuk, famously known as Gary Vee. Have you heard of him? He's done a fantastic job of utilizing social media to enhance his reach and create his own fame, but even more than that Gary Vee knows how to get the attention of his consumers, understands the "why" behind the buy and turn them into fans. This could be the reason that he has been on the Today Show, Nightline, The Big Idea, Conan o'Brien and more. If you want to see a true champion that is already displaying what will work in 2009, you won't want to miss him.

What is it that will help us grow our business in 2009? Is it social media? More internet marketing? Spending more on advertising and marketing? The key is building customer relationships and taking the time to understand the "why" behind the buy. There are five steps that will help you understand the "why" in a clear way that will help you grow your business even when businesses around you are going under.

Follow those that are already creating success by understanding the "why" and utilizing the social media tools that are available to us, such as Gary Vee. Make the year 2009 the best in business, it is possible by just understanding your customers and creating the relationships that create loyalty.

An annual marketing plan will assist you in figuring out what it is that you need to do, how to do it, and when to do it. This marketing plan should go hand-in-hand with your business plan and development.

In this marketing course we will revisit your marketing goals and determine what it is that you hope to achieve in the upcoming year with your marketing efforts. Often companies avoid this process because they don't know where to begin the process. That is what I am here for.

Over the next six weeks I will walk you through the steps of creating a solid marketing plan. Sign up and let's get started in developing your annual marketing plan today.