Kosmix's new Tweetbeat Firsthand is the coolest thing I've added to my web experience lately.
What is it? Call it an add-on, extension, plug-in, what-have-you ... it's a browser utility that is nothing short of awesome, especially if you are always looking to add to your Twitter lists, or if you simply want to see what is being said in real time as you read articles and blog posts around the web.
All you have to do is visit the link (Tweetbeat Firsthand) and install the add-on in your browser (there are versions for Chrome, Firefox and Safari). Then, as you read articles, small Twitter icons appear in the text next to names, places and organizations that have a presence on Twitter. Hover over the icon, and the real-time Twitter feed from that organization will appear.
Besides being able to see the live feed, it also allows you to share the feed and site you are via a tweet from your own Twitter account. In other words, it sends a tweet that says something along the lines of "I am reading tweets by @fema on cnn.com with the Tweetbeat Firsthand browser addon http://bit.ly/9xJyzN."
It's a great way to enhance content for the reader in a "read more, now, in real time" kind of way, but on first assessment, I'll probably be more likely to use it as a way to quickly follow Twitter accounts, if I don't follow them already. I can't count the times I've read an article or blog post and wondered if a publication or organization mentioned might have a presence on Twitter. It's rare that I stop what I am reading, open a new browser window and actually go search.
Read TwitterMedia's review of Tweetbeat Firsthand.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Editing Your Facebook Privacy Settings
Facebook's privacy settings seem to change every other day, but if you want to be more selective about what you share with whom, we've compiled a list of resources to help you stay updated.
The "recommended" settings on Facebook are the default settings, so if you haven't ever gone into your settings, this is what you will see if you log in, click on "Account" in the top right and select "Privacy settings."
Facebook suggests that you keep your status, photos and wall posts public to everyone on Facebook. Personally, I don't want complete strangers knowing every time I post a picture of a tomato in my garden, so I've created my own custom settings, which you can see designated with a green checkmark.
Before creating your own custom setting, you may first want to create Facebook lists. I have a list called "Professional Contacts," filled with people I've met at various networking events – someone I might want to share a technology link with, but not someone I want to know what I ate for breakfast (I don't usually post that sort of thing, unless there's blueberry pie in the office kitchen at 8 a.m. ...). In addition to How To Create Lists, Mashable also has a great post on Using Facebook for Professional Networking.
Once your lists are in place, changing your Facebook privacy settings is easy – just click "customize." Facebook has it broken down by "Things I share" and "Things others share," and you can easily select whether you want Everyone (remember, this is anyone with a Facebook account), Friends of Friends, Friends Only or a Custom setting – that's where your lists, if applicable, would come in – or you can allow or disallow individual friends' access, too, just by typing in their name.
For instance, I let everyone see my website, but only I can view photos I'm tagged in – mainly because I can't control that. If you want your profile extremely locked down, you may disable your friends' ability to post on your wall – something else you can't control, but it is also a useful communication tool. Also of note, you do have to apply specific settings to your photo albums separately and individually within the photo album settings section of Facebook.
Once you have your privacy settings squared away, you may want to review this resource that covers both specific settings (hiding from search engines) and common sense (letting strangers know when you're not home): Seven Things to Stop Doing Now on Facebook
Also, my favorite Facebook-related site, AllFacebook.com, has a whole guide to Facebook privacy settings, which I highly recommend checking out.
Finally, if you have any specific questions about Facebook privacy settings that we haven't covered, let us know in the comments!
Monday, July 19, 2010
What Ice Cream Can Teach Us About Social Media
It's really hot today in Journal Communications' hometown of Franklin, TN — like, triple digits hot.
Which means it's time to talk about ice cream. And social media, of course.
Luckily, some news from lovable hippie confectioners Ben & Jerry's makes this easy. Word got out last week that the company was dropping its regular e-mail marketing campaign with plans to use only social media from now on.
As Hubspot Blog reported, this move came about because "customers had indicated that they disliked the email despite loving the brand, which means that it wasn't building the positive relationship that the famously brand-conscious ice cream company wanted."
Naturally, lots of discussion from marketing professionals followed this announcement, both critical and more conciliatory.
But the story changed when the company Tweeted on July 14:
That's right; all us North American fans can still sign up for the colorfully named e-mail missive for all our dairy dessert news.
Which is good news, and the part where we start learning from ice cream.
We all know how powerful social media can be — Ben & Jerry's Facebook page has a 1.3 million plus fans, for Pete's sake.
But though it's growing fast, social media is still just one element of a successful marketing strategy — one scoop of your sundae, if you will.
Engagement with customers is the ultimate goal, and Ben and Jerry's pretty much rocks at this, whether it's heading to Bonnaroo with a specially made flavor in tow or providing ice cream lovers their Scoop of Happiness iPhone app.
The fact that Ben & Jerry's was listening to its customers and attempting to reach them in the way their fans like best is the biggest lesson.
Take the Ben & Jerry's example to heart as you plan your marketing strategies. Listen to your customers. Find new ways to reach them. Make changes based on what they tell you. Look for engagement in any and every way you can find it.
That's our recipe for a sweet success story, no matter what your business.
Which means it's time to talk about ice cream. And social media, of course.
Luckily, some news from lovable hippie confectioners Ben & Jerry's makes this easy. Word got out last week that the company was dropping its regular e-mail marketing campaign with plans to use only social media from now on.
As Hubspot Blog reported, this move came about because "customers had indicated that they disliked the email despite loving the brand, which means that it wasn't building the positive relationship that the famously brand-conscious ice cream company wanted."
Naturally, lots of discussion from marketing professionals followed this announcement, both critical and more conciliatory.
But the story changed when the company Tweeted on July 14:
That's right; all us North American fans can still sign up for the colorfully named e-mail missive for all our dairy dessert news.
Which is good news, and the part where we start learning from ice cream.
We all know how powerful social media can be — Ben & Jerry's Facebook page has a 1.3 million plus fans, for Pete's sake.
But though it's growing fast, social media is still just one element of a successful marketing strategy — one scoop of your sundae, if you will.
Engagement with customers is the ultimate goal, and Ben and Jerry's pretty much rocks at this, whether it's heading to Bonnaroo with a specially made flavor in tow or providing ice cream lovers their Scoop of Happiness iPhone app.
The fact that Ben & Jerry's was listening to its customers and attempting to reach them in the way their fans like best is the biggest lesson.
Take the Ben & Jerry's example to heart as you plan your marketing strategies. Listen to your customers. Find new ways to reach them. Make changes based on what they tell you. Look for engagement in any and every way you can find it.
That's our recipe for a sweet success story, no matter what your business.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
A User's Perspective on Foursquare
Until you've used Foursquare, you may not understand what all the hype is about. After all, it's nothing more than a means for your friends to find you when you're out and about, right? And if it's nothing more than that, couldn't you accomplish the same thing by just sending a text message to your friends or simply tweeting it?
Well, sure.
But let me explain Foursquare to you from the perspective of a girl who in recent weeks has gone completely bonkers over one of the hottest social media trends happening right now.
When I first began using Foursquare, I assumed I would tire of it within the first month, maybe even the first few weeks. From what I knew about the social-media platform (which was very little at that point), I could see the benefit of having something like Foursquare available when I lived in New York and had friends spread across four boroughs and three states. (It might actually make it easier to meet up with some folks from time to time and grab a bite to eat.) But now that I live in the 25th largest city in the U.S., it's much easier to find my friends. There are only so many places a person can go and my friends and I tend to stick to the same neighborhood and its popular hangouts anyway. We're bound to run into each other eventually! But after playing around with the application for a few weeks, I was hooked, and here's why:
It's fun. Checking into venues, collecting badges, competing with friends for points, and becoming Mayor if I check into a specific venue more than anyone else on Foursquare . . . This is the gaming aspect of Foursquare and we all know how fun games are!
It's easy. Instead of texting my friends or, um, calling (can you imagine?) to let them know that I'm currently at our favorite restaurant and they should stop by, I can just check in on Foursquare and leave the rest up to them. And since I have the option to send my check in information to Facebook and Twitter, I can also alert my friends who aren't on Foursquare - yet.
It's motivating. If there's one thing I do more of now that I'm on Foursquare, it's going out into the real world and engaging with real people. I dine out more often (usually at restaurants that my friends often check into), meet up with friends more often, and even go the gym more often. (I'm currently the Mayor of my gym and while this is strictly due to no one else checking in on Foursquare yet, I still want to hold onto that title for as long as I can!)
It's mysterious. While there are a handful of documented badges out there, new badges are being created all the time. I never know which check in will trigger that "Overshare" or "Socialite" badge, but when it does, it's down right fun!
I get stuff. I recently checked into a movie theater with my husband and discovered a "deal near-by" pop up for three scoops of Ben & Jerry's ice cream for only $3. All I had to do to get the deal was show that I checked in on Foursquare. And Ben & Jerry's isn't the only company doing this. My friends and I have received everything from free fried pickles to free soda and half-price beer just by clicking a button on our Smartphones!
It gives me voice as a consumer. Each time I check into a venue, restaurant, gym, theater, bar or shop, I'm casting my vote for that business, at least once. Whether that business is paying attention or not (which they should be), I'm not only announcing to my friend's that I'm at this place, but I can tell them about my experience there too. And I will. Foursquare allows me to leave tips for others and will even pop-up an alert when I'm at a nearby establishment where one of my friends has left a tip. And we all know how powerful word of mouth recommendations can be.
So while I may absolutely get on the nerves of my husband and my friends and colleagues because I'm constantly fumbling around with my phone each time we walk into a place of business, or getting in heated discussions about badges that should exist and "wouldn't it be neat if so and so had a deal," I simply can't help myself! Foursquare has found a unique way to combine social media with real world interaction and that's something we could all stand to do more of.
Well, sure.
But let me explain Foursquare to you from the perspective of a girl who in recent weeks has gone completely bonkers over one of the hottest social media trends happening right now.
When I first began using Foursquare, I assumed I would tire of it within the first month, maybe even the first few weeks. From what I knew about the social-media platform (which was very little at that point), I could see the benefit of having something like Foursquare available when I lived in New York and had friends spread across four boroughs and three states. (It might actually make it easier to meet up with some folks from time to time and grab a bite to eat.) But now that I live in the 25th largest city in the U.S., it's much easier to find my friends. There are only so many places a person can go and my friends and I tend to stick to the same neighborhood and its popular hangouts anyway. We're bound to run into each other eventually! But after playing around with the application for a few weeks, I was hooked, and here's why:
It's fun. Checking into venues, collecting badges, competing with friends for points, and becoming Mayor if I check into a specific venue more than anyone else on Foursquare . . . This is the gaming aspect of Foursquare and we all know how fun games are!
It's easy. Instead of texting my friends or, um, calling (can you imagine?) to let them know that I'm currently at our favorite restaurant and they should stop by, I can just check in on Foursquare and leave the rest up to them. And since I have the option to send my check in information to Facebook and Twitter, I can also alert my friends who aren't on Foursquare - yet.
It's motivating. If there's one thing I do more of now that I'm on Foursquare, it's going out into the real world and engaging with real people. I dine out more often (usually at restaurants that my friends often check into), meet up with friends more often, and even go the gym more often. (I'm currently the Mayor of my gym and while this is strictly due to no one else checking in on Foursquare yet, I still want to hold onto that title for as long as I can!)
It's mysterious. While there are a handful of documented badges out there, new badges are being created all the time. I never know which check in will trigger that "Overshare" or "Socialite" badge, but when it does, it's down right fun!
I get stuff. I recently checked into a movie theater with my husband and discovered a "deal near-by" pop up for three scoops of Ben & Jerry's ice cream for only $3. All I had to do to get the deal was show that I checked in on Foursquare. And Ben & Jerry's isn't the only company doing this. My friends and I have received everything from free fried pickles to free soda and half-price beer just by clicking a button on our Smartphones!
It gives me voice as a consumer. Each time I check into a venue, restaurant, gym, theater, bar or shop, I'm casting my vote for that business, at least once. Whether that business is paying attention or not (which they should be), I'm not only announcing to my friend's that I'm at this place, but I can tell them about my experience there too. And I will. Foursquare allows me to leave tips for others and will even pop-up an alert when I'm at a nearby establishment where one of my friends has left a tip. And we all know how powerful word of mouth recommendations can be.
So while I may absolutely get on the nerves of my husband and my friends and colleagues because I'm constantly fumbling around with my phone each time we walk into a place of business, or getting in heated discussions about badges that should exist and "wouldn't it be neat if so and so had a deal," I simply can't help myself! Foursquare has found a unique way to combine social media with real world interaction and that's something we could all stand to do more of.
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