How the Everyday Person Should Use Twitter

When people ask why I use or like Twitter, I always describe it as the "lazy man's Google". Unlike Google where you have to know what problem you are trying to solve or what information you wish to seek, with Twitter once you begin following people information comes to you. As a result, I am able to expose myself to more facets of life, people, technology, politics, pop culture or any other topic without ever having to know specifically what I want to discover. :-D

This brings me to Digital Daily's QOTD for September 3, 2010:

“Google is very good at ‘I need to solve a problem, I need to buy something, I need an answer. Twitter is more ‘I’m interested in many things, I don’t know what I need to know.’” – Twitter CEO Evan Williams

Also be sure to read a related post: Twitter for Business

The Battle is On! Or is it? HTML5 vs Adobe Flash

Adobe Flash is a single browser plug-in and multimedia platform popular for adding animation and interactivity to web pages. Per Adobe statistics, Flash is on almost every computer worldwide with 98 percent penetration given provides consistency in appearance from one computer to the next. However, a collection of new technologies, including HTML5, is proving more and more they can reproduce some of what Flash offers.  Bruce Lawson, Opera Software web evangelist, believes Flash will be replaced and the newer technologies as a collective are "very close" in ability.


What I find interesting is as of June 2010, HTML5 has been in the Working Draft stage for 18 months and folks expect it to stay there at least another year.  Ian Hickson, editor of the HTML5 specification, expects HTML5 to reach the Candidate Recommendation stage during 2012.  This mean web developers won't be able to start providing feedback on how to make HTML5 actually work for another two years.
Here's some background to give you a better idea of what this all means.  From conception to completion, all versions of HTML5 have to go through a distinct set of stages:

Stages in HTML development 

• Working Draft: After a private group of W3C members develops the standard, it becomes a Working Draft.  Standards can remain at Working Draft stage for literally years until some form of general consensus is achieved about how it should look.

• Candidate Recommendation: The focus at this stage is on feedback from developers about how practical or implementable the standard is.  Most significant features are locked, but the design of those features as well as minor aspects, such as syntax, may still change.  Although Candidate Recommendation stage does not typically last as long as Working Draft stage, it can still extend past a year.

• Proposed Recommendation: The standard is submitted to the W3C Advisory Council for final approval.  It is very rare to see any significant changes at this stage, which can last a few months to a year.  

• W3C Recommendation: The standard is now endorsed by the W3C and is safe to use.

Given the number of YEARS it will take to get through these stages, I apt to agree with Brandt Dainow's statement: "HTML5 is a great idea, but it's still just an idea. It's not a standard, it's not finished, and - in my opinion - using it now is just plain stupid."  Even so, it's probably wiser to take a deep breath and accept the bigger truth that both technologies will prevail and neither will conquer the other any time soon. 

UNIQLO’s Lucky Switch digital campaign from Holiday 2009.

Absolutely awesome use of digital advertising leveraging the power of social media.

UNIQLO LUCKY SWITCH from HN on Vimeo.

How the Smartphone Evolved by HTC

Quietly I'm becoming a HTC fan...

Social Media: Is it a fad?

Because I see social media as an innovative form of word-of-mouth marketing, social media is no more a fad than marketing via television, radio or print.  Each is a type of communication channel that came to be and later evolved based on society's needs.  In marketing & advertising, fads are born figuring out how to connect with as many people as possible using the communication channel of choice while seeking the biggest return on investment (ROI).

Here’s an analogy:
If social media was a highway, the automobiles would be the applications (Ning, Second Life, Vimeo, Facebook, Posterous , Digg, Yelp.com, Blogger, Flickr, etc.) developed to maneuver the channel.  The number and types of applications depend on the ever-changing likes and dislikes of the target audience as well as the desire to standout from the rest and try something new.  Just like automobiles in real life, some applications peak and fall in popularity quickly (i.e., the fads).  On the contrary what doesn’t disappear, even with improvements and refilling of potholes along the way, is the highway or communication channel (i.e., social media.)

Do you agree or disagree?  Don’t just stop there. Tell why you feel one way or another in comments.

You can also click on older posts to read my thoughts on Social Media, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Google Wave and Marketing

This morning I came across this question by Darya B. on LinkedIn.com:
"Has anyone thought of any ways that Google Wave could be used for marketing and similar business purposes? Thanks"

My response:
Google Wave is a great tool for project management. Use it during every meeting to document meeting notes, brainstorming ideas, take-aways, and next steps. Use it to share and track file drafts and associated changes.

When a new person is added to the team or Wave they can use the playback feature to get up to speed on all that has been discussed and done to date. There is less feeling out of the loop, or waiting to meet with someone before you can start. Google Wave allows the delivery large files to a client and tracks client edits more easily compared to regular email.

The biggest con is the current exclusivity of Google Wave invites; however, this will change once Google Wave moves out of Beta.

Before reading this question, I hadn't thought about how to use Google Wave for marketing. Off the top of my head, I think Google Wave could be used similarly to how podcasts, blogs, YouTube videos, and Wikis provide information to the end user.

In what ways do you use Google Wave? In what ways do you want to use it?

I'm A Fan? Are you?

I am TOTALLY diggin': We're All Fans. It's a user (fan) content generated website promoting the GRAMMY Awards . Content comes from the web as well as fan submitted photos, tweets, videos, etc.

This campaign is a great example of how traditional media channels can be complemented by strong social media strategies.

We're All Fans combined with the GRAMMY Nomination TV Special (aired Dec. 2, 2009), Facebook, Twitter, print ads and more will encourage interaction with the intended audience and build anticipation that will hopefully translate into increased viewership on January 31, 2010.

Twitter for Business

I recently came across the He Said She Said blog and in volume 1 the topic of Twitter for Small Businesses was discussed. This discussion sparked the inspiration for this post.

****************************************

Since joining Twitter a couple of years ago, I have used it to become the 'virtual fly on the wall' more often than not. By doing so a business will be able to learn the good, the bad, and the indifferent regarding its brand.  The business will also be able to identify keywords, language and strategies to engage its intended audience.  In some instances, the business may also learn of a new target market it hadn't previously considered.

To learn what is being said on Twitter about your company, brand, product, service, etc. use search.twitter.com.

Also be sure to read a related post: How the Everyday Person Should Use Twitter

Cheating with Social Networks

Wouldn't this leave a bigger trail than paper?

Married people are increasingly using social networking sites to cheat.

the Boyfriend - Mr. Laptop

I joke constantly about waking up with Mr. Laptop by my side, but evidently there are many others with romances of their own...

Read NY Times article

Inspiration Comes From The Weirdest of Places

Today I read a MediaPost article on how social media can negatively impact small & medium businesses. Unfortunately, I felt the article was mediocre at best. Luckily, I did gain value from comments specifically the one written by Karen Renner. In summary, Ms. Renner questioned people's reluctance to communicate positive feedback as quickly as negative.

Ms. Renner has a point. I am definitely guilty of letting people know of a not-so-good situation with a brand. And although I do make a point of letting companies know the good and bad service an particular employee may have given, I rarely do the same with my social network. Therefore I have decided to change my way of doing things starting today. When a brand or company does something favorable for me, I will be certain to share it with my network, on- and off-line, because negative feedback should have all the glory.

A Positive Feedback Award goes to Layton Insurance LLC of Richmond, VA. I spoke with Ms. Summer Layton who answered each and every question I had (and there were many) with such grace and warmth. She looked up the answers that she did know off the top of her head and provided extra, valuable information so I could make the best decision for me as the consumer even if it meant she wouldn't get the sale. Ms. Layton even offered to pass on my information to a competitor insurance provider because she knew the other provider also did its best to give the most competitive rates available.

I will continue my hunt for the best insurance rate and to educate myself on the different type of policies out there. I will say GREAT customer service is something for which I am willing to pay a reasonable premium. However with Layton Insurance, it is offered free of charge AND the insurance rates quoted (home, landlord and auto policies) were the best I got so far!

Layton Insurance LLC

1308 W Main St
Richmond, VA 23220-4827

(804) 355-7444‎

My Tweeples (Twitter Friends)

Just a snippet of my 250+ Tweeples.Courtesy of http://twitter.mailana.com

Brandcenter students @ SXSW

Meet a couple VCU Brandcenter students at South By Southwest [SXSW]

Social Media is like a Wagon Wheel

Below is a comment I posted to Ad Age after reading Facebook Phantoms Don't Scare Me at All by Tom Martin

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Tom wrote: "I'd love to show you how to actually converse versus market with Facebook and a few other social media platforms. " I couldn't agree with Tom more.

Just on Monday, I tweeted to the Twitterverse*:

This is why I have an affinity for social media.


Social media is a not a one-way, but a multi-way medium. One may start with a simple comment, but if phrased correctly, it will connect with someone and spark a dialogue that grows into a conversation with one or many participants.

I liken a brand’s use of social media to that of a wagon wheel. The core of the wagon wheel is the brand, each spoke is a line of communication and the rim is the population of social media users. If any piece isn’t fully engaged with the others, the integrity of wheel (brand equity) will come into question.

*A Twitter Word (Tword) meaning Twitter Universe

How to be a LinkedIn superstar - iMediaConnection.com

"I'm a big fan of LinkedIn.com. Read this article and felt it was good enough to share. It's a little slow in the beginning, but has good sound tips/advice for business users that can be applied for the individual as well."

View >>

Above is a copy of a comment I wrote about the referenced article.

Learn SEO without spending a bundle

If your company plans to do most of its advertising using Google AdWords, I recommend a free, readily available route instead - the Google AdWords Learning Center.

It has easy to follow instruction as well as quizzes at the end of each topic. If you so choose you can take the Google Advertiser Professional Exam too. It costs $50 and is part of the Google Advertiser Professional Program that its own set of requirements.

There is also a free electronic textbook Google provides as well that I believe goes more in-depth.

To the point of some, you may wish to have a course that explores other marketing concepts that can be combined with SEO such as social media or PR. However if you are just starting to get your feet wet when it comes to SEO, why not go the free route and see if "free" meets your needs. If it doesn't hit all of the points desired, at least you have better idea of the type of information you prefer to know and will be able to better select a paid resource and potentially get a higher return on investment.

Are we heading to an Internet burnout?

This question was posed on LinkedIn.com by Richard Meyer.

Here's my response:

There is no way anyone is close to an Internet burnout anytime soon. Why? Because there is nothing out there (yet) to replace it. Unlike TV, which has matured but not obsolete, the Internet is still in a growing stage where individuals, organizations and companies are just now learning how to get better returns out it. That being said, there remains so much more growth to experience.

What are your thoughts? Do you think differently?

12 Days of an SEO Christmas

The below was written by Kettlewell Enterprises, Inc. and all credit should go to it.

‘Tis the season for days of twelve, with a partridge in a pear tree, but in the SEO world the twelve days look a little different…

On the first day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
a website with a good plan

On the second day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

On the third day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Three back links
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

On the fourth day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Four social sites
Three back links
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

On the fifth day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Five deep links
Four social sites
Three back links
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

On the sixth day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Six entry pages
Five deep links
Four social sites
Three back links
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

On the seventh day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Seven Dugg articles
Six entry pages
Five deep links
Four social sites
Three back links
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

On the eighth day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Eight spiders crawling
Seven Dugg articles
Six entry pages
Five deep links
Four social sites
Three back links
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

On the ninth day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Nine new conversions
Eight spiders crawling
Seven Dugg articles
Six entry pages
Five deep links
Four social sites
Three back links
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

On the tenth day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Ten keywords added
Nine new conversions
Eight spiders crawling
Seven Dugg articles
Six entry pages
Five deep links
Four social sites
Three back links
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

On the eleventh day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Eleven indexed pages
Ten keywords added
Nine new conversions
Eight spiders crawling
Seven Dugg articles
Six entry pages
Five deep links
Four social sites
Three back links
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my SEO Expert says:
Twelve long tail keywords
Eleven indexed pages
Ten keywords added
Nine new conversions
Eight spiders crawling
Seven Dugg articles
Six entry pages
Five deep links
Four social sites
Three back links
Two title tags
and a website with a good plan

From Kettlewell Enterprises - Happy Holidays!

Social Media 2009 Predictions

An interesting read I've embedded below....

In some regards, I believe a few of the predictions are too aspirational. By this I mean 2009 may be too soon to see ideas fully embraced (e.g., think mobile marketing...wasn't 2008 suppose to be THE year?).

I definitely do believe social media will only grow in its use by brands, organizations, and individuals as a relationship builder. If there is a human element in the users approach, the masses will follow. However, this will take time, patience, and a wise marketing strategist who is capable of establishing virtual listening posts and use the info gathered to create value-added consumer focused programming.

Social Media 2009

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Management Business social media 2009

Twitter: Hard Hitter for Better or for Worst

Who says word of mouth is shared at the pace of snail mail? Out of all the different types of social media (SoMe) out there today, I believe Twitter is the most effective in getting the word out quickly than any other source. This "gift" from technology is a double-edged sword making it both good and bad for brands.

Let's take Motrin for example. Using Twitter Search I looked for "Motrin" mentions on Friday, November 14th and Saturday, November 15th. One page of results come up with statements such as these:Then someone surfing the Internet comes across the new Motrin ad posted on its website.

Unfortunately for Motrin several moms find it offensively patronizing, which began the negativity buzz on Twitter. After sleuthing around using Twitter Search the earliest "tweet" about the ad is from crunchygoddess on November 15th at 10:28PM EST and the buzz picks up from there. Within my circle of followers and following, I received a "tweet" shortly after 5PM EST on November 16th sharing the news and now it's my turn to pass it to you. Below is a video montage that was posted to YouTube after a fellow Tweeter (KatjaPresnal) learned of Motrin ad at 11:07PM EST on November 15th.

Video Credit: Katja Presnal

Result:(1) The word is spreading requesting folks to boycott Motrin and the products of its parent company Johnson & Johnson. (2) Kathy Widmer, Vice President of Marketing for McNeil Consumer Healthcare, responded to concerns about the advertising on the Motrin website. See email to Katja Presnal for actual correspondence. (3) Motrin's website is down as of November 17th at 2:36AM EST and has been down for several hours now as they take steps to remove the ad from the website. Evidently, the brand felt it was better to take the entire site down that to have people bogging down the server and aid in the spread of negative buzz. (4) Motrin has spent thousands of dollars to place a magazine print version of the ad and now is taking steps to remove it from circulation. Unfortunately for the brand, this will take longer since it is currently on newsstands and in distribution. (5) In this season of pink slips, the Twitter question of the moment is "will those responsible for this blunder get their own customized version?"

Lesson to Learn: Use your target audience as a sounding board BEFORE you launch a new campaign or decide to try a new tactic. Talk to them and listen to what they have to say. If you don't seek out the true subject matter experts, folks will definitely get the buzz going in the way you would prefer to avoid. They say bad publicity is better than no publicity, but in this case...I think Motrin would beg to differ.