FIR B2B Extra: How Spiceworks Breaks the Media Company Mold

FIR B2B

Founded in 2006, Spiceworks broke the mold in both the software and media businesses. The company gives away a valuable systems management software package and monetizes the business through its large and active community of information technology professionals. Sponsors can buy their own outposts in the community, as well as the usual assortment of advertising vehicles, but they’re also encouraged to sign up their own employees to participate in discussions along with the members. Salesmanship is strictly prohibited in discussions and technical exchanges, and the staff at Spiceworks constantly coaches its marketing clients in how to be better community members.

Paul attended the annual Spiceworld conference in Austin last week and caught up with Spiceworks co-founder and COO Jay Hallberg for an update on the community and some tips on how marketers can build relationships with Spiceworks’ 3.2 million members.

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About Your Hosts

Paul GillinPaul Gillin is a veteran technology journalist and a thought leader in new media. Since 2005, he has advised marketers and business executives on strategies to optimize their use of social media and online channels to reach buyers cost-effectively. He is the author or co-author of five books, including Social Marketing to the Business Customer (2011), the first book devoted entirely to B2B social media marketing. He is also a social media trainer and coach at Profitecture, a training firm for B2B companies and their channel partners.

Allan SchoenbergAllan Schoenberg is based Vice President, Corporate Public Relations and Communications at TIAA-CREF in New York. As part of the firm’s Enterprise Communications team within Marketing, this role helps the team drive firm-wide corporate communications, employee communications, reputation and crises management, social media, CEO positioning and public policy communications. He has more than 20 years of experience in B2B communications, including his work for Accenture, Edelman Worldwide, Fleishman Hillard and CME Group..

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FIR B2B is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications,serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

Posted by Paul Gillin on 10/01 at 06:01 AM

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