Archive for category social media
What Bothers You About Facebook?
Posted by seo in social media on August 20, 2010
Whether you think that change is good or bad, it’s one thing for sure: inevitable. Facebook faces harsh criticisms as they are always changing features and updating their looks. Let’s take a look the pain points of Facebook:
Constant changes – People don’t always like change, especially when it comes to something that they’re familiar with. Facebook is always changing how Pages look and have recently put a size constraint on Facebook Page tabs and eliminated Boxes. They claim that the purpose of this is to enhance the user experience but how is it helpful for Pages to take things away?
Facebook Places also made its debut and people are up in arms over privacy issues, so learn how to disable it if you’re interested.
Lack of focus – Should I focus on gaining more Fans? Constantly updating my status? Adding new content? What’s the point of all this?! Many people find themselves asking these questions. It’s hard to find a balance in all this but you’ll eventually find the spot. To me, the most important aspect of a Facebook Page is to show your personality. An updated Page shows that you’re active and “social” so yes, it’s important to show your customers and fans that there is a real person behind your Page.
Irrelevancy and distractions – This article shows how Facebook Pages are becoming irrelevant in some ways. It claims that less people are visiting Pages. I think that well-maintained Pages will still get hits.
So, what are people doing on Facebook? I just noticed that I got a complimentary 25 credits for Facebook Games such as Resort World (nearly 2.5 million players) or Happy Island (nearly 9 million players). Time to spend that virtual money!
What are some other things that bother you about Facebook?
Arcade Fire: Social Media and a #1 Album
Posted by seo in Viral Marketing, social media on August 16, 2010
As Katy Perry, Drake, Eminem and Lady Gaga dominate the summer music charts, it was nice to see a change at the top spot. Congrats to Arcade Fire! But what really helped them get there? Good music, unique live performances, loyal fans or a focused social media marketing plan? How about all of the above? Earlier this month, the band even played a live show from New York’s Madison Square Garden, which was streamed in real-time on YouTube.
A look at Arcade Fire’s social media profiles reveals that they are effective because they are so well-maintained. It’s also refreshing to see a band expand beyond just using MySpace. All the profiles are linked to their main site, where fans can find tour information and buy the new album. Over 97,000 digital sales have also helped Arcade Fire secure the #1 spot.
The ease and shareability through social media has given Arcade Fire (and tons of other bands) an opportunity to reach new fans that they wouldn’t have otherwise. A new Arcade Fire fan reveals, “I just found out about this band today and I must say, I’m quite impressed. They are amazing.” Isn’t this glowing review an example of what any band or business would like to have said about them?
‘Modern Man’ is currently my favorite track off the album. Check it out!
Stop Being So Frantic About Social Media
Posted by seo in social media on August 13, 2010
Such a rare sight to see – a hummingbird that’s actually sitting still!
This just reminds me of people who are so frantic about getting started with social media. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Ning, Flickr, LinkedIn, Tumblr and more. Sure, you can throw out all these names but what’s the point of being on all these social media channels? If you just want to be on all these profiles for the sake of being there, it’s time to reevaluate your strategy. In this related article from Problogger, Darren Rowse notes that:
“I’m pretty sure that facebook is not a site that will work for every topic.”
Wanting Too Much
Businesses and individuals with successful social media pages can tell you how much time, research, and resources it takes to just maintain ONE profile. So, how can people expect to do this effectively and efficiently with numerous social media profiles? Simply put, most people just can’t. Clients often want too much out of social media because it’s “free”. If anyone starts suggesting that you can save time by copying and pasting things in place of real engagement… it’s time to step away. (Especially if it applies to starting a new social media profile and building a fan base.) Check out some other practices to avoid.
What is the Point?
Before you setup a social media account, it’s time to think about your goals. What do you want to achieve with this profile? Here are some things you want to consider:
- Create a space where you can respond to customer feedback
- Raise brand awareness for your local business
- Offer specials and discounts for loyal customers
- Provide helpful resources for customers who need help
- Or just share information that you’re passionate about
A Moment for Clarity
Remember, it helps to stay still for once. Like the hummingbird, it gives you a chance to catch your breath and take a look at the big picture! You can still take notes but make sure to edit it down to reasonable actions. If your strategy doesn’t work, move on and look for another approach. Don’t let all these thoughts and ideas consume your efforts in boosting your online identity.
Step Up 3D’s Social Media Advertising
Posted by seo in social media on August 9, 2010
Did you catch Step Up 3D this weekend? This is the third film of the dance series in which Channing Tatum was the original lead. The film made a pretty good debut for it’s opening weekend, grossing over $15 million and securing the 3rd spot in the box office.
The film had a relatively small budget of $30 million but wasn’t afraid to hit hard when it came to social media advertising. Their Facebook Page has close to 1.5 million fans while their MySpace Page has over 2.5 million fans. Not too bad for a threequel!
Lessons learned from the film’s marketers – they effectively understood their audience demographics by:
- Implementing interactive pages that engage fans with questions, music and videos. Some Facebook fans even claimed to have seen the movie 4-5 over the weekend!
- Having an impressive soundtrack with popular artists like Flo Rida, Estelle, Jessie McCartney, T-Pain and Chromeo.
- Take advantage of the 3D trend. Who said 3D is just for childrens movies? Let’s see how Piranha 3D does later this month..
- Riding the popularity of dancing in pop culture. So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew are just a few examples of what is “in” in entertainment nowadays.
Sure, this movie may not have the best storyline… but sometimes, audiences just want to watch a fun movie. In that case, Step Up 3D really captured the sentiment and understood their audience. The real question is, who’s ready for Step Up 4D?
Piranha 3D
Whitman and Brown: Taking Politics to Facebook
Posted by seo in social media on July 29, 2010
Increased Social Media Efforts
If you’ve seen/heard TV, radio and online ads, you’ll know that the political race in California is heating up between Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown. An article in the LA Times shows that Meg is launching “A New California” campaign on Facebook. On the site, she’ll ask fans to vote about issues that they think are important. Meg will then address the winning issue in a video that will be shared on Facebook. This clever Facebook campaign will bring Meg more fans and raise awareness on her platforms. Meanwhile, Team Jerry Brown has dismissed these “gimmicks” and says that “Meg Whitman even has to buy her friends.”
No matter what political party you’re affiliated with, it’s time to look at these campaign strategies for its effectiveness. Pretend you know nothing about politics or parties for a second…
Comparing Facebook Pages
The first look at Meg Whitman’s Facebook shows a welcoming statement and her vision for a “new” California on the landing page. Meg’s wall also predominantly features her stance on relevant issues, encourages fans to join her efforts and showcases recent appearances. Meg has a professional looking “Donate” tab for easy access and also has an Events tab reminding fans to vote for her on November 2nd.
In comparison, Jerry Brown’s Facebook is visually unappealing. The landing page tab features a list of different things from something about Green jobs to fighting political corruption. The title of the tab isn’t even completely readable, what exactly is “Fighting fo…”? Isn’t someone in charge of looking out for these things? There’s also a “Join Jerry:” tab. Again, what exactly are people signing up for – news about Jerry Brown or is their information going to be sold? If it seems simple enough, do it. A small blurb would help. On the bright side, Jerry’s Facebook wall is filled with updates about community members showcasing their support. It’s always a plus to showcase fans and show them appreciation.
Who Has What it Takes?
Meg’s Facebook approach is cohesive and interesting to her supporters. Jerry’s approach seems a little more cluttered and could use a stronger focus. But in the end, it’s not the Facebook fans that matter but the actual number of voters for each candidate. So, how well will social media work to help increase the votes? Meg Whitman is serious in her Facebook efforts and spending cash to do so. Will Jerry Brown have what it takes to catch up? Social media has given politicians a new chance for outreach but many of them still seem to be behind on the times. We’ll see what happens in November!
Are You Feeling the Pain of Social Media Promotion?
Posted by seo in social media on July 27, 2010
Nowadays, a blog here and there just isn’t enough to get your content out there. It can be hard to go that extra step but the effort is worth it. Promotion with social media doesn’t have to be a painful process for writers and bloggers. Many people see social media as a medium for personal relationships, so why can’t you apply that concept to engage your readers?
Add a Personal Touch
It’s easier than it seems but fans will appreciate it when you add a personal touch to your social media efforts. Instead of just linking a news story or site, give them a good reason to read and click. People aren’t just interested if you’re throwing a URL out at them. Give your opinion or a different spin on the subject. Here are some examples:
- Have a sense of humor. Being genuine and funny is one of the best ways to get a response or RT on Twitter. Also, don’t be afraid to ask!
- Give people shout outs. On Twitter and Facebook, you can use the @ tag to show your fans and followers appreciation.
- Retweet others and comment. The best way to engage is to start with outreaching others. Remember, it’s not all about pushing your URL.
Simple is Always Best
It helps to stay simple and you can start with your content. Unless you’re focusing on a niche topic or doing some technical writing, more people will be able to connect with a simple subject. Reading other blogs and articles can help give you ideas and also improve your writing. These are simple steps you can take for inspiration and learning more about your area of expertise. Simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy and it takes practice. Just think about it, what’s more difficult: writing a concise one sentence summary or writing a summary paragraph?
Bloggers often focus on consistently coming up with new ideas and writing the content. After the writing process, it can be tedious to promote your work on different social media channels. Try to force yourself to do so by following a few of these tips. Remember that in the end, you get what you put in but you can always work to change the outcome. No pain = no gain!
The Secret to the Best Viral Content
Posted by seo in social media on July 16, 2010
After some technical difficulties, the SEOmoz webinar about viral content was finally underway. When you hear about ‘viral content’, most people think that it’s a weird/outrageous campaign à la the new Old Spice ads. After hearing Rand Fishkin’s presentation of successful case studies, it was interesting to see the real secret behind the most realistic cases of viral content – the content is useful and relevant to their target audience!
Viral success in this case means that the sites are shared and receive linkage from many different domains. Here are some of my favorite examples of viral success that were presented:
Epicurious
This neat interactive site shows a seasonal map of the US. You can click different states and months to find the best seasonal ingredients during any specific time. It’s a simple idea that’s easy to pull off but not that easy to think of. Kudos to Epicurious!
OkCupid
The popular dating site featured a write up dispelling myths about the success of profile pictures. For example, women seem to get the most responses with a flirty, smiley face. Interestingly enough, men who received the most responses from their profile picture were not smiling. This is an interesting and fun article that even got OkCupid a write-up in the New York Times.
Boston
This was one mildly successful example that could’ve been improved. During the presentation, I thought it was great that it was critiqued so that others can learn about formatting and design when thinking of their viral efforts. The site showcases exciting tidbits about how the CIA used magic and trickery in their tactics.
Campaign Marketing: The Salvation Army Focuses on Social Media
Posted by seo in social media on July 1, 2010
The Salvation Army has been around since 1865 but their campaign marketing tactics are definitely NOT stuck in the past. If you visit their site, you’ll see their “Social Media Scene” displayed prominently on the homepage. This spotlight focuses on showcasing their blog, Twitter stream, recent Flickr uploads and YouTube videos.
Expanding Online Outreach
As a non-profit organization, social media has been a great way for the Salvation Army to expand their outreach for donations and volunteers. An article by DMNews explores how the Salvation Army can take advantage of online volunteers. With over 15,000 Facebook fans and 3,000 Twitter followers for the US segment alone, this is a much greater opportunity than merely soliciting in person donations. People who stay tuned to the organization’s events and charities are more likely to donate. The study shows that the Salvation Army has seen better results through online donations in the past few years.
Why Support the Salvation Army?
Why would so many people support the organization? Like this video shows, the Salvation Army provides a safe and nurturing environment for children who are less fortunate. Their week long summer camp gives kids an opportunity to explore, learn arts, sports and engage in ways that they wouldn’t have otherwise. The Salvation Army also provides rehabilitation services, support and shelter during natural disasters and even care for the elderly.
Social Media Done Right
Their social media profiles don’t just spam followers and hit people up for donations. For example, the SA’s Twitter account provides news about disaster relief, info on donation milestones and volunteer opportunities. The Salvation Army is a good example of an organization using social media to effectively appeal to your emotions. After all, it’s for a good cause!
Check out the Salvation Army’s social scene and see all the different ways you can help contribute.
Sharing the Father’s Day Love
Posted by seo in social media on June 18, 2010
Father’s Day is just around the corner and it’s no surprise to see more dad related ads.
I just saw a Wendy’s commercial for Father’s Day and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. It not only promoted their Frosty but also the founder’s organization, which seeks to help foster children find a caring home. This is no doubt a great cause and this short ad highlights the viral effect that Wendy’s hopes to accomplish. It even encourages users to pass the message along via Facebook, Twitter and Facebook to raise more funds.
Do you have any other good ads that you’d like to share? If not, we hope that you have a great Father’s Day weekend anyways!
Online Viral Marketing Catches Sports Fever in 2010
Posted by seo in Viral Marketing, social media on June 16, 2010
Doodle Jump and the World Cup
I’m not a huge sports fan, so I never got the fervor that fans feel during the finals, championships, etc… until this year! I’ve also been paying more attention to online viral marketing and internet memes that come from these events. Soccer is the most watched sport in the entire world and Doodle Jump is one of the most popular iPhone apps, so it’s no wonder that these would go hand in hand for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This addicting game features creatures that represent team Italy, Norway, Japan and more. Instead of shooting regular balls, our beloved Doodle shoots out a fountain of soccer balls.
Death to the Vuvuzela
If you tuned into the World Cup, you’ll notice a distinctly annoying horn noise in the background. Half-sheep baaa and half-bee swarming, the vuvuzela is a South African stadium horn. Fans like to use it to show their enthusiasm, distract the opposing team, or just to make A LOT of noise. Sports officials have even made attempts to ban the instrument as they are so loud it can even lead to hearing loss. Check out Mashable’s wrap up on the vuvuzela. Someone has created a Twitter account with updates that mimic the instrument’s sound while another vuvuzela-hater has even uploaded an Ewok remix.
Social Media Stats: Lakers vs. Celtics
With the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics tied at 3-3, it’s winner take all at Game 7 of the NBA Finals tomorrow. While the Celtics have home court advantage, Laker fans are sure to riot whether the team wins or loses. Let’s take a look at these long-time rivals and how their social media stats compare:
- Facebook – Celtics: 827,550 fans | Lakers: 1,272,429 fans
- Twitter – Celtics: 57,447 followers | Lakers: 1,559,464 followers
- Twitter mentions via TweetVolume – Celtics: 1,620,000 times | Lakers: 4,130,000 times
- Google search results – Celtics: 18,800,000 results | Lakers 26,600,000 results
With that in mind, we’ll see who the true winners are after tomorrow night … go Lakers!
Photo credit: Doodle Jump in the App Store
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