The way I see it, we’re overdue for a revolution in retail.  So many of us have been sharing our passions and discoveries, it’s about time we acquired tools that empower us to share in the economic benefits.  Relationship Commerce is simple yet novel, it’s commerce that emanates from people you know and trust. 

-          Understanding the social graph and the power we each have to leverage its power.

-          Why big brands will become more and more reliant on the individual’s ability to spread their message.

-          Life is not just about financial exchange, and neither is commerce. Relationships matter!

-          ROR: Return on Relationship… what the future holds for shopping, for commerce and the economic wellbeing of each and every one of us. 

-          Relationship Commerce, sharing what you love with others and facilitating their ability to buy it.

2.  What do you think is the number one rule that bloggers need to know about connecting with…

other bloggers? – Be genuine. Put yourself in the position to disappoint… then don’t.  The more responsive you are the more responsive they will be.

companies? – Be visible. If u want to have influence become a trusted source. Be consistent and professional… say what you mean and mean what you say. Make your contact info easily attainable and informative.

business partners (like OpenSky)? – Be upfront about your goals and how important achieving them are to you. Listen and understand what it takes to succeed with the partner form their viewpoint.

3.  Explain your take on companies and marketing through brand ambassadors. – I believe brand ambassadors should be people who were advocates of the brand before being asked to be ambassadors.

4.  What do you think bloggers need to know about being brand ambassadors? – If you want that opportunity be certain to stand out as a fan/advocate by posting your support in various venues.

5.  Can an online only business relationship be as effective as a face to face one?  How? – An online only relationship can be more effective than a f2f one. Online via the platforms that exist today allow the brand/business to touch you back whenever you reach out and do so in a public forum that allows that relationship to spread to others and for many to view the interaction. Online allows a brand to address/fix issues on the fly, add value, and do this for a large group and not simply one-to-one. It also allows the sharing of those experiences.

6.  How should bloggers or online personalities network in person? – The same way they network online… be upfront, say hello, voice your opinions, and most important… follow-up after meeting and add that person to your online contacts.

7.  What is a great Twitter behavior that is often over looked as being important? – Thanking people for RT’ing you and for giving you a mention/shout out. Recognition.

8.  What is a valuable Twitter tip? – Engage: ask questions, propose ideas—> Give your followers ability and reason to answer.

9.  Name a Twitter sin. – Most misunderstand Twitter… not a broadcast tool, not stand alone for marketing, but an extremely valuable networking, experimenting, seeding tool. Also always remember we all have lurkers, those watching and following our conversations, so even though they do not make themselves known they are there. Be aware.

10.  What is something important you would like to say about OpenSky that you feel not enough of us know yet? – Becoming successful with OpenSky is no different than building any business, just like a successful blog. It takes work, experimentation, creativity, and commitment. Too many expect to simply post a shop tab on their site, or make a post or two, and the money will start rolling in. When it doesn’t they give up way too quickly. To make sales utilizing the Opensky platform you need to make multiple posts, educate your audience again and again, and figure out the winning formula for your blog. The process will probably take months to see results that make a difference, but once you figure it out you build a lasting business that creates a deeper bond with your brand.

Now it’s a whole different world with social media, with almost instantaneous personal connections to people all around the world.  Instead of just one-to-one connections, we get one-to-very-very-many connections as we can now tap into the extensive networks of everyone on our own social graph. 

If I need a contact in a particular company, or city, or country, all I need to do is post a question on Facebook or better yet, Twitter, asking if someone has a trusted contact in that company or location, and I will soon have a name and contact information.  If a colleague across the country needs help in their own town, a quick tweet will likely reach at least one person who can either directly provide that assistance to my colleague, or at least provide the right connection.

We also need to remember that bloggers are an important part of social media’s reach.  Just recently, I had two different situations of helping bloggers reach other bloggers in another part of the country – due to the broad social media reach I have created by putting relationships first, I was able to help them connect and get the assistance they needed within minutes by simply tweeting out a request for a contact in a very specific community. Complete strangers tied together through one trusted connection, and time and distance were immediately condensed through the use of social media.

At OpenSky, we are all about the relationships and social reach of our trusted influencers (bloggers, authors, editors, celebrities, social media mavens) and their communities (networks).  Instead of just offering products for sale, we offer connection and community to influencers who have products they believe in (from innovative suppliers) and want to share with (sell to) their network. This is the new way the world will connect, where relationships matter. 

The world is now your oyster, use social media to find the pearl(s)!

Dear Bloggers,

The e.l.f. Elite is for those bloggers who have shown a sincere interest in being involved with things like comments/questions for our new site design before we launched, advance knowledge of new product releases and samples of those products, helping to choose new colors, products, etc. We are so happy to welcome you into this group. You are now part of an exclusive group within the e.l.f. blogger community and we are so very excited to be working closely with you all.

Once again, thank you all for the valuable feedback, comments and questions with regard to our site re-launch and Welcome to the e.l.f.! ELITE. Please understand this is a two way street and we welcome your input at anytime. Going forward, until we come to recognize you as a member, please identify yourself as part of this group when reaching out.

The first email you will receive after this one, from Kelly Krainik, will include a Gift Certificate code for $30. This certificate is for you to use when we contact you about a new product launch that we would like you to see and try early. We will notify you when it is first uploaded to the site so that you can be the first to order and receive. When we notify you the email will also include a FREE SHIPPING Coupon Code so that you do not have to use any of the $30 credit up on shipping. Please only use this GC for this purpose so that we can keep track. As you know we are happy to supply product for other events, etc. when they are requested.

We look forward to a long-term partnership and will be in touch soon. As always please feel free to reach out to me personally anytime.Sincerely,
Ted

Ted Rubin
Chief Marketing Officer
e.l.f. Cosmetics “Affordable Luxury”
elfonomics… Why Pay More? “SPREAD THE WORD”