The Digital Tavern

Is FEAR replacing FREE as the most powerful motivator in advertising & marketing?

Allan — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:10:47 +0000

With my gift already packed, shipped and on its way to Mom for this weekend’s annual honor for those women that nurtured and raised us, I was surprised and put off by a marketing offer I received this week from big box warehouse giant, Costco. While the e-mail offer highlights “Mother’s Day Flowers with

How Pink Slime Caught This Company On The Wrong Side of Social Media.

Allan — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:11:05 +0000

Why Beef Products, Inc. Was Blindsided By Jaime Olivier, ABC News, Social Media & The Pink Slime Epidemic

Today ABC News ran a follow up segment to its reporting on Beef Products, Inc.and the extra-lean ground beef product it markets, that Jaime Oliver coined as “Pink Slime.” Also today Beef Products Inc. (BPI), who

The Effortless Way To Improve Your Appearance, Your Success & Your Health

Allan — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:45:23 +0000

It’s so easy. It takes no effort. And it works. So why, you may ask, doesn’t everyone do it — all the time?

I’ll bet you’re not doing it right now as you read this post. So take a moment and stick with me. Turn off the phone, close your email, and smile. That’s

Five Keys To Building A Social Media Plan & Strategy

Allan — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:35:01 +0000

Most Social Media Experts Don’t Know The Difference Between Tactics & Strategy

Very few businesses get it. More and more so-called social media experts don’t get it. Participation in social networks and the occasional social media contribution doesn’t make for making business social nor is it a substitute for understanding social business or the

Sample photos from new New iPad 3: teaser of what’s next

Allan — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:15:14 +0000

Spring Flowers Come Alive With New iPad Camera & Retina Display

I’ve had my new iPad with its amazing retina display for a scant 12 hours. I’m working on a review complete with sample photos, video and content generated, edited and created on the iPad (read: no accessories or apps).

But this will consume

Blood Spilled Over New iPad – iPad 3

Allan — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:09:48 +0000

I never planned to do another silly YouTube unboxing video. However, as I was waiting at the end of my driveway for the airport shuttle to pick up my friend Michael Yacavone, who visited from the East Coast for a few days, the UPS driver pulled up.

As Tony, my UPS, driver headed into

How To Ruin Your AdWords Campaign

Allan — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:07:55 +0000

Gadget maker ZAGG ignores best practices and commits a costly faux pas with its Google AdWords Display Network ads.

There’s no question that for many businesses a Google AdWords campaign can be an effective component of a marketing or advertising campaign. With powerful targeting tools, incredible metrics and insight and when finely tuned,

“Social Media Is A Waste of Time.”

Allan — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 05:22:22 +0000

Is Social Media Worth The Time, Resources & Money Invested?

Allan Karl WorldRider Keynote Speaker and digital marketing branding guru at clearcloud shares his social media tip of the week

If I had a buck for every time a client, associate, friend or passing stranger revealed to me their sentiment and belief that

The More That Things Change. The More They Stay The Same.

Allan — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:31:11 +0000

Plus A Blogging Tip For WordPress Bloggers – Timing and Scheduling Blog Posts

The Original Digital Tavern Blog - Hosted By Radio Userland 2001

I’ve been writing about blogs and blogging for ten years. Before “social media” evolved to its current status as an overused and mostly misunderstand “word or phrase du jour”,

After Ten Years – Time To Change – New Design Coming

Allan — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:05:17 +0000

iPad 3 Media Announcement

This year The Digital Tavern – For The Sake of Clarity – celebrates its 10th birthday. It’s fun to look back at the old posts still archived here. Nobody knew what a blog was back when I started this exercise. Today, some might argue that blogs provide more accurate

Going to South America

Allan — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:58:46 +0000

This is a quick update that I am doing via my iPhone using Siri. For some of the words may not exactly get translated. But I’m sitting here at Dallas Fort Worth international airport awaiting for a flight to Argentina. I will be joining my friend Rob Rill and going to Argentina, Chile and

The Baseball That I Remember

Allan — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:43:41 +0000

As a boy growing up in a Connecticut suburb of New York City, nothing mattered more to me than baseball. My father, my brother Bob, my grandfather, my uncle, my other brothers — all of us passionate about America’s pastime. Perhaps before I was swayed by those passions that emerged and strengthened as

iPhone 4S Siri – Meet Your Digital Assistant

Allan — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:00:48 +0000

iPhone 4S Siri - Meet Your Personal Digital Assistant

The Apple iPhone 4S may not look like a new phone, but the power is within. I put iPhone Siri Digital Assistant, now a crucial part of the iPhone 4S through its punches and converse, command and chat with Siri.

Siri can be your personal digital assistant. In

iPhone 4S Camera & Sample Photos / Images

Allan — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:48:00 +0000

iPhone 4S Camera: Samples & Siri Digital Assistant

Have you checked out the new iPhone 4S camera? Just about a week after the phone became available, I was happy to see the FedEx guy walk up to my door and hand me my new iPhone 4S. For the last few hours I’ve been putting it

Social Media Faux Pas – Direct Message New Twitter Followers

Allan — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:10:18 +0000

Don’t Send Automatic Direct Messages To New Twitter Followers

Okay. I’m getting on my soap box. Watch out! But for a good reason. After more than 200 times, I’m fed up. If you’ve done it, you’re alienating and abusing your followers.

Why is it that Twitter users feel so compelled to auto

Around The World Alone — On A Bicycle.

Allan — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:09:32 +0000

Ok. So you know I traveled around the world for three years alone—on a motorcycle. And I really didn’t see everything. There are still plenty of places waiting for my visit. Or at least I’d like to think so. Truth is, there are a lot of

Corks. Love ‘em. Hate ‘em. You?

Allan — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 23:19:42 +0000

What do you do with your old corks?

Like many wine drinkers I do have a love-hate relationship with corks. Like so many crafts, there are some beautifully created corks, and there is a slew of mediocrity. Some years ago I showed

Apple Slammed With Lawsuits & Apple Slamming Lawsuits On Copycats

Allan — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:38:36 +0000

I don’t expect that most readers are as interested in the ongoing patent wars that involve Apple, Google, Motorola, Samsung, Nokia and others. But I’ve been following the Samsung conflict with Apple. The issues of the lawsuits and the patent disputes are well beyond any discussion here. For those of you interested feel free

Web Apps, Apple Magic Mouse and Safari Gestures: A Bad Combo

Allan — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:51:51 +0000

For Mac users that have upgraded to Lion and are using any web-based applications such as Basecamp, WordPress, Tungle or just about any webpage with a form, I’ve got a personal pet peeve.

I use the Apple Magic mouse. Essentially the surface of this mouse mimics a touch or track pad (taking advantage of

Wake Up & Smell The Coffee Beans

Allan — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:15:52 +0000

Does Starbucks Recommend Excessive Amount of Ground Coffee for Brewing?

My love for coffee started at an early age. That is, I loved coffee ice cream. With all the flavors in the world, I was consistent and always chose coffee ice cream.

These days I don’t eat much ice cream, though wandering through

Can Social Media Be A Bridge To True Connections & Real Relationships?

Allan — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:22:01 +0000

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile - Are Your Social Media Relationships Superficial?

Last week I attended the NSA (National Speakers Association) national conference in Anaheim. This was the second consecutive year I attended the event and though this year’s program was much different, I came out of the conference energized