Content Marketing and Social Media

The current topic in Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing in particular is Content. Creation, distribution, sharing;  Original and User-generated.  And while challenging to measure in terms of hard ROI, Content Marketing via Social Media is growing both in importance and effectiveness.  At the heart of Content Marketing is an 'old school' concept:  Word-of-Mouth!  Amplified many times over by effective use of Social Media.

For Brands and Marketers looking to maximize Content Marketing, three words are key:  "Create, Curate, Optimize".  Here's an Infographic that does a good job of showing how:

Chris Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

647 393 3855

Linkedin:  Chris M Morales 

Some Running "Pick-me-ups"

I run for no reason at all.

I used to run to win.  Not to come in first...I am not an Elite.  I set goals:  Not last; Top Half Overall; Top 10 in my age group.  It was fun for a while and for a couple of years when I competed in Triathalons I expended a lot of energy setting, training and competing to hit those goals.  I knew I had gone too far though when one day after making a delicious Pasta meal I referred to the meal as 'Fuel'.  Sally was not impressed!  She is an excellent cook and the meal was spectacular.  So after 30 years I'm back to just running.


Even though I love running some mornings I'm challenged with getting out of my warm bed and heading out for a run. Especially when it's dark, cold and wet.  On those mornings I turn to motivation quotes for a pick-me-up.

I especially like this last one.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Rushing Water

As you know I like water.  From the sandy beaches in Jamaica where I grew up, to mountain lakes in Western Canada I visited with the kids to the mighty Humber River that rushes past our home where we live now.  It's all about moving water.

I run through very well developed residential and commercial areas.  It's not tough to find rivers and streams but it is a challenge to run alongside them.  This little gem of a creek quietly goes about it's business.  Just north of this location it passes through a golf course and just south it runs through heavily treed backyards...I envy those home owners who get to enjoy their own private creek.

At the spot I took this photograph, it runs under the major intersection of Islington Avenue and Dundas Street West.  If you're driving on Dundas Street you'll miss it for sure;  Southbound on Islington you may catch a glimpse.  While running though it's possible to slip off Islington Avenue and pick up a paved trail that runs along the creek for a hundred metres or so.  Lots of green along this short stretch that with the sound of the water over the rocks almost completely drowns out the road noise mere metres away.

It's not much but it is enough.  Especially buried deep within the City.  I try to run by this spot at least once a week.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

I don't like Running Snobs

That's putting it too mildly.  "I hate Running Snobs". That feels better. Let me explain.

Last Saturday I spent the day at the Reggae Marathon and Jamaica Tourist Board booth at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon Expo.  I was there on behalf of Reggae Marathon to help promote the race and travel in general to Jamaica.  It was a pretty good way to spend a cold Saturday in Toronto:  Talking with runners about Jamaica and the special experience of running Reggae Marathon in December.  I got a few good pictures with runners and Reggae Marathon fans, a few of whom were not only excited about their race the next day but were also coming to Negril for Reggae Marathon December 6.  Lots of training and running stories.  I was having a good time until...

"Real runners don't race anything under Half Marathons" she harumphed when I noted that while I was a long-time runner,  I really liked the 10K's.  I was taken aback...speechless for a moment actually. I recovered quickly and with a smile asked for clarification.  "We real runners run long distances...too many of  'these runners today' are merely joggers". Fortunately I stayed composed, handed her a Reggae Marathon brochure letting her know it was a 'real race' with a Certified Course and Timing Chips while sending her on her way.

"Running Snob!"  Fortunately my inside voice stayed inside my head.  But it got me thinking:  Does running still have these Running Snobs?  People who feel if you don't run 70+ Kilometres each week, walk or just run for fun means you're not a real runner?  Unfortunately yes.  And that's sad.

I like reading about all kinds of runners.  I especially find the stories of Seasoned Runners inspiring. But I truly admire those runners, men and women who get out and run knowing they'll never 'Medal'; the runners who run for health and fun.  They may not put in grueling distances each week, they may take a walk break...heck, they may even miss a day or two each week. But they are REAL runners. I've been fortunate to have spoken with a number of these runners about why they run. The remarkable common theme is that for them running was and is a life saver.  They overcame or got through a life challenge through running. They improved themselves...they survived!  They're not snobs.  And I like that.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy