interviews

WebSearchSocial interviewed Green Sun Energy Services President Glen Koedding about why he’s revamping his website, why there’s no such thing as “free solar,” and what California is taking from New Jersey (hint: it’s not retirees).

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau launched the Open for Business campaign. The goal is to promote Jersey Shore businesses and share the real story about the state of the local business community and the region’s popular tourist attractions. The catch is that they have no budget, and perhaps a bigger challenge is overcoming media portrayal of the Jersey shore as a wasteland, when the reality is that many businesses are up and running again. Find out how Bob Hilton tapped into grassroots marketing and a strong community to help get the word out and bring business back to the Shore.

American Autowire recently relaunched its website and ramped up its social media presence, especially on YouTube. Find out how this all-American company gets the buzz out on social media and keeps its customers informed and eager.

Joe Pulizzi, founder of the Content Marketing Institute says, “Content marketing is the creation of valuable, compelling and relevant content, developed consistently, to create a positive customer action.” Read more about his take on content marketing trends for 2013.

What do you get when you combine a geek’s paradise of social media, iconic pop-culture characters and tech with World War II propaganda? You get the very cool art of Aaron Wood, a digital artist who knows a thing or two about creativity and getting to the heart of what people love. Aaron is a graphic designer who’s got one of those inspiring stories we can all learn something from: namely, how to turn passion into profit and keep on enjoying what you do. Get his story, and check out some of his wildly cool art. You might just find yourself doing some redecorating.

Over the past few weeks, my husband Ralph and I have spent our evenings watching and rewatching old Doctor Who episodes, right up through the current season. You might say we’re a little fan-obsessed. So one day when I was on Facebook and I came across some photos that Kristen McKain of KM Studio had posted of her hand-painted ornaments, I got a crazy idea: why not do a whole Doctor Who-themed Christmas tree this year? This is her story, and a lesson in how building social relationships can pay off in business, too.

Tangerine Boutique opened its doors in 2003, just three blocks from the ocean in Bay Head, NJ. On October 29, 2012, the resolve of Diane and other Jersey Shore business owners was challenged like never before by Hurricane Sandy. This is the story of how one business owner coped with unexpected disaster – and brought her business back to life.

Dr. Rudolf Thompson is a board certified plastic surgeon and founder of the Thompson Center for Plastic Surgery in Colts Neck, NJ. Dr. Thompson believes nothing is more beautiful than confidence. His goal is to help his patients feel better about themselves, whether they’re in the boardroom, on the beach or at their child’s soccer game. Here’s how he approaches marketing and business from his unique perspective.

Carl Christensen’s gallery, Integrity Studio, in New Hope, PA, was recently featured in Entrepreneur magazine as a small business that’s winning on Pinterest, and a 2013 calendar featuring Carl’s images compiled by Orange Circle Design, one of the world’s largest calendar producers, will be available in Target stores nationwide. Find out how Carl uses Pinterest and Etsy to help interest in his gallery and sales.

If you’re familiar with those ubiquitous eCourses and webinars, you know that sometimes learning can feel be a bit… undercooked. I bet you probably don’t show up to half of them, especially if they’re free. But Tea Silvestre is turning the idea of learning on its head and creating a reality web series that teaches you how to market your business online. She dubs it “Biggest Loser meets Hell’s Kitchen” for entrepreneurs. And if you’re one of lucky contestants, not only is it free but there’s a stunning grand prize involved. Find out what’s cooking and how you can get a spot in the Kitchen, too.