Myra Norton's Blog

How Can Social Networks Improve Alumni Relations and Development?

ceo@comlytics.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:35:00 GMT

I am commonly asked, "How can social networks improve alumni relations and development?" Watch as I explain ways each area of development are enhanced through the use of network data.

Opinion Leaders Influence the Dissemination of Ideas

ceo@comlytics.com — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:40:00 GMT

After Community Analytics revealed the Influence Networks at work among this audience, the company was able to take both strategic and tactical measures to improve its reach and drive performance. Strategically, the Influence Networks demonstrated that this community relied heavily on academics for advice and guidance.

More Listening and Less Telling

ceo@comlytics.com — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:51:00 GMT

Businesses should meet the Opinion Leaders and their communities where they are – in the context of the relationships, dialogues, and information sharing activities that matter most to them.

Listening Over Location

ceo@comlytics.com — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:07:00 GMT

Our clients find that the real value is not merely in knowing who the Opinion Leaders are within a given community. Rather, the real value is found in understanding the relationships through which a community vets ideas, evaluates products, and makes decisions.

The Qualities of an Opinion Leader

ceo@comlytics.com — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:47:00 GMT

I don’t like to think of Opinion Leaders as “different” than anyone else. The truth is that different groups of individuals are Opinion Leaders for different topics/issues; and, based on the topic/issue, their characteristics vary by community.

Opinion Leaders and Thought Leaders - the same thing?

ceo@comlytics.com — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:51:00 GMT

This is a great question – and an important distinction. Again, there are numerous definitions floating around out there, but the critical difference is that Thought Leaders don’t necessarily have a personal relationship with the audience who listens to them.

Opinion Leaders' Role in YOUR Purchase Decision

ceo@comlytics.com — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:40:00 GMT

There are countless definitions out there for Opinion Leaders. I think of them as Trusted Advisors – the individuals you call when contemplating an issue, wrestling with a decision, solving a problem or just looking for new ideas. The role they play in purchasing decisions varies depending on the product or service involved.

Great Article About Why Online Communities Fail

ceo@comlytics.com — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:14:00 GMT

I found myself agreeing out loud with the points made in this recent Wall Street Journal article about the lack of success many businesses are experiencing in their attempts to build vibrant online communities. Ed Moran’s findings echo my own experiences

Alumni Engagement through Influence Networks

ceo@comlytics.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:43:00 GMT

Community Analytics' paper proposal was selected for the 2008 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education.

Human Networks Have Power in Uncertain Times: Part IV

ceo@comlytics.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:52:00 GMT

With gas prices on the rise and job security on a downward spiral, businesses have tightened up on their expenses in recent months. As professionals, we recognize that we need to spend wisely, yet we still see mass marketing and the same prospects targeted over and over again. Granted, there have been a variety of studies conducted that connect increased brand visibility with purchase decision; however, this comes at a cost. This leaves us with the question, how much are we willing to spend on messaging that falls on deaf ears?