We asked attendees to a March 4th, 2010 Business Expo in Columbia, MD what the internet has done for their business and how they are using new media and social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube to generate new customers and promote their company. Their answers might surprise you!

We thought we’d give you a funny short video to chew on while we finish up our newest video featuring interviews with VP of Engineering Todd Fisher, Application Engineer Jonathan Phillips, and Marketing Analyst Delphin Thebaud.

Fan Pages are a way for companies, brands, products, bands, organizations, etc to have an official presence on Facebook… Profiles are for people, Pages are for everything else. Like Profiles though, Pages can be enhanced with applications, fan other pages (through the “Add to My Pages Favorites” button), post pictures and updates, receive comments, etc.

According to the BIA Kelsey Group, viewers engage more after watching a video, with clicks for more information increasing by 30-40% and phone inquiries by 16-20%. Web video is a proven selling technique and is far cheaper than traditional advertising.

Videos help sell products even when customers don’t watch them. Shoppers who viewed the videos bought at a higher rate than those who did not view, but based on multivariate testing, visitors who did NOT watch the videos converted at a significantly higher rate than those who saw the same product page without the option for video viewing.

I am a brand ambassador for Discover. I didn’t know that’s what I was, but that’s what marketing reports and studies would label me. They would call me that because I am a happy, enthusiastic, and loyal customer who tells others how happy Discover card makes me. I am an advertising executive’s dream. I am want you want your customers to be like. I am hundreds of thousands of free (and perhaps more effective) advertising dollars.

Like many people, I have a Twitter account. My personal account revolves around the indie film and video industry and the people I “follow” or “friend” or “subscribe to” tend to reflect that interest. One of those is Lee Unkrich (@leeunkrich), Director of such Pixar classics as Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, and the upcoming Toy Story 3. He also edited Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and A Bug’s Life.

You may have heard about a “David and Goliath” story being played out in the media lately. On September 14, 2009, the makers of Monster energy drink sent a cease and desist letter to Rock Art Brewery in Morrisville, Vermont claiming the brewer’s “Vermonster” label on select beers caused brand confusion with its “Monster” energy drink. Owners Matt and Renee Nadeau are fighting back, claiming there is no infringement issue and that the “nuisance lawsuit” is another case of corporate bullying and brand over-protection.

…The same can be said for our flashy websites, elaborate blogs, and hundreds of twitter apps – be sure you look for and connect with the people behind the text. If we forget who all of this is really for and what these tools really serve to do – connect us with other people – then we will be left with nothing but random noise and a confused expression on our faces. Social Networking is about creating relationships, and not even the coolest widget is a substitute for genuine human interaction – on OR off line.