Archive for June, 2012

How to Expand Your Online Community

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

So you’ve finally done it. You’ve created Facebook and Twitter accounts and even set up a Pinterest page for your business. Now all you have to do is wait for the followers to show up…but where are they?

It’s simple enough to start your social community–but getting members is a whole different story.

And, afterall, you can’t have a community without people in it. So to make things easier, here are some handy tips to help you grow your social media audience!

  1. Use Your Resources. Customers, email lists, contacts–these are the people who are already familiar with your brand. Why not reach out to them and ask them to LIKE or follow you?
  2. Incentives Incentives Incentives! Who doesn’t want to win free stuff, get something exclusive or find something cool. If you give people a good reason to come check out your community, you’re bound to see the numbers rise.
  3. It’s All About Content. The first thing people will see when they get to your community is current content. Make sure this is engaging, interactive and interesting because, if you don’t, they may not want to come back for more.
  4. Change Things Up. If your page looks exactly the same as it did the first visit, the second visit and the third, then it’s time for a refresher. When you continue to add new posts and show activity, fans will keep coming back to see what’s new.
  5. Don’t Forget to Link. Your best bet for turning up in search results is to add links to your website, communities and other online involvement.
  6. Run That Ad. At the end of the day, the traditional advertisement really gets the job done. Add links to the website and your online communities, and don’t forget to encourage their participation.

Want to learn more? Check out this article!

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and LIKE us on Facebook.

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G|J Heads to PCBC!

Friday, June 22nd, 2012

Next Wednesday, June 27, at 3:00pm, the Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) in San Francisco will be hosting its Consumer Insights Forum and introducing a new program called “Think Forward or Get Left Behind.”

Our own Jennifer Fidelman is on the panel of experts discussing the use of social media and digital technology as a key way to increase sales and traffic. With so many new uses in social media marketing, this program will be helpful to all!

This year at PCBC, you can expect a mix of engaging presentations on a variety of topics that will benefit homebuilders as everyone is recovering from the economic struggle and continuing to advance their business in the digital age! It’s time to jump on this fast moving train, because technology and social media are not slowing down.

To read more about the Consumer Insights Forum: “Think Forward or Get Left Behind,” click here.

For more information on the “Think Forward or Get Left Behind” panel contact Rachel Mullins at Gunn | Jerkens at (562) 499-6707 or for media interviews on-site at PCBC related to this panel, contact jfidelman@gunnjerkens.com.

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and LIKE us on Facebook.

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Posted in Around the Office, Consider This, General Blogginess, New Media, Our Neck of the Woods, Social Media, Technology, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Are Apps Taking Over TV?

Monday, June 18th, 2012

These days we’re all pretty familiar with apps–you know, those convenient little icons that make life so much easier, not to mention fun.

A little while back a new app came out that took the app store by storm. You’ve probably heard of Draw Something, but, if you haven’t, here’s the deal. It’s a relatively new game by Zynga that lets players draw images on their touch-screen devices and send them to other players, who in turn guess what the drawing is. Players send drawings back and forth, trying to gain points (that can be used to buy additional colors) and interact with friends.

Well, now Draw Something is coming to the small screen. Apparently CBS has signed a deal to develop a prime time version of the game. In the show, teams of celebrities and regular participants will play the game in front of a live audience, competing to win cash and prizes (think $10,000 Pyramid circa 1973).  Plus, viewers will be able to play along at home in some shape or form using their own app.

First Angry Birds, now Draw Something. What’s next? Will we see a Fruit Ninja show in the near future? What about Bejeweled or Temple Run? I guess we’ll all just have to stay tuned to find out.

But if you had your way, what app would you turn into a TV show?

Find out more about the Draw Something show here!

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and LIKE us on Facebook.

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One For the Books!

Friday, June 15th, 2012

Sweat, wind, sun, water, Powerade, spandex and desire are all you need to know that you are racing an Ironman.

Jen Fidelman joined 36 of her teammates from IronTeam LA, as they competed in Ironman Hawaii 70.3 in Kona, Hawaii – one of the most spectacularly beautiful Ironman courses of all time.

Dressed in purple, Jen and her teammates raced 70.3 miles for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The team collectively raised over $330,000  to support this organization and they worked hard to finish this 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run.

Beginning at Hapuna Beach at 7am with a cannon blast and 74 degree water, the first 1.2 mile leg of this race was a wetsuit-free swim. Racers plunged into the water with black numbers on their arms, blood-pumping through their bodies and hopefully enough fuel to keep them going.

The ocean was rough with whitecaps and buoys that wouldn’t stay put, adding .6 miles or more to this leg of the race. But the elements didn’t stop anyone from fighting to finish!

Then came the 56 mile bike ride. Not only is this one of the most difficult courses, complete with a section called “Hell’s Kitchen,” but this year, participants were surprised by some of the toughest conditions that the Ironman has ever seen due to the elements. The winds were so strong that it became a smart move to watch the person in front of you on the bikes to anticipate the next huge gust of wind coming.

A 13.1 mile run through a mixture of dirt, gravel, pavement and a swampy golf course was the last leg of the race. Again, the wind was an issue making it feel like you were running in place at times.

Lance Armstrong was the first to finish flashing a shaka to the spectators at and he just happened to set a course record on one of the most challenging days. Livestrong!

After a long and exhausting day, Jen was happy she succeeded in completing the race. Those hours and hours of training over a 7 month period, along with the tremendous support from her Team in Training coaches, mentors and teammates helped Jen reach her goal of completing her first Half Ironman with a smile.

What’s next?  Ironman 70.3 Vineman in Sonoma on July 15th – stay tuned!

Check out the race in action!

See what athletes had to say about the course and the weather before the race!

She is definitely a winner in Gunn | Jerkens’ heart!

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and LIKE us on Facebook.

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Posted in Around the Office, Consider This, General Blogginess, Our Neck of the Woods, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Five Years and Still Going Strong!

Friday, June 8th, 2012

Today we celebrated a very special occasion at Gunn | Jerkens – one that touched all of us (literally, everyone was crying) and reminded us all about what a wonderful company it is that we work for!

The Occasion: Amanda and Ken are both celebrating their five years of employment with Gunn | Jerkens.

The Speeches: Both talked about the growth they have seen within the company over the past five years and how they love coming to work every day and can’t wait for many more years to come.

The Lunch: With a celebratory lunch, we all feasted together laughing about all the tears and gifts that were shared.

The Gifts: It all began with a pen – you know, the kind employees get from their company at an important event? Well Amanda and Ken got a red pen from our office topped with a special G | J green bow!

And the best gift of all was a gift certificate for L.A.’s award-winning resort, Terranea. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean with scrumptious restaurants, Mediterranean style pools and spas, this resort is a perfect escape for two hardworking people!

Enjoy and congratulations Amanda and Ken!

To stay up to date on all the new and innovative happenings at Gunn|Jerkens, check back often, follow us on Twitter (@GunnJerkens) and LIKE us on Facebook.

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