Category Archives: social media

Great New Social Media Tools

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The following are the new tools and web applications that will drive everyone crazy again.

TheFancy.com. This is like Pinterest but is much easier to understand. It is like a catalog of different things that people actually like. If you want to take a look at something that catches your attention, the website Fancy will provide more details about the picture. If you search for someone, Fancy will show you more stuff that this person wants and his or her interests. Moreover, Fancy is like a store, a magazine, a blog and a wish list. You can collect stuff that you love, keep posted and informed on the brands and stores that you like and share your interest and discoveries.

Some advantages of Fancy are: it’s easy and very simple to use, it’s naturally social (you can be able to share stuff with others), it’s addictive, the content is fresh and incredible all the time, it’s everywhere (mobile, computer or tablet), it’s inspirational (get inspired of things you want), you get thrill when someone likes your photos, and definitely it’s cool.

YourBuzz.com. This site helps you trace people who are saying something about you online. This site is great for business. It increases your online profile as well as understands customer’s view of your business by getting a look at what customer’s are saying about you and your business through Facebook, Yelp, Citysearch, Twitter and other social networking websites. With YourBuzz.com, you can be able to view their ratings, reviews and mentions. You can also retweet and respond to current conversations or create a new conversation. Aside from this, this website can increase and boost your business through online connection.

CheckThis.com. a website wherein you can create your own website simple, fast and easy. One great advantage of this website is that it is free and requires no registration. You can create a temporary or permanent website depending on your choice.

ShareyourCart.com. This is an affiliate marketing site. This sit is perfect for new and existing buy business wherein you want to gain more customers through social networking. You can grow and expand by encouraging satisfied clients to share their experiences about your products or service to their friends.

PanDamian.com. if you are an author or an aspiring author, this is the website for you. This site lets you publish your writings and books online.

Browser Extension for Better Social Network Management

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If you have more than one Twitter account or using social media network for your business or for promoting products, services or business, or keeping track of different account, Dashboard apps can help you minimizing steps in handling social network accounts. You can update multiple account easily with this feature. It will also provide you of a better Twitter experience in your browser.

The following free tools will help:

  • Silver Bird. This little extension is featured-packed and offers lots of Twitter features. The tabs can help you organize views of your mentions, timeline, favorites, direct messages, and lists. For a quick keyword search or hashtags, a search box is located between the tabs for this purpose. Your collection of chosen tweets are found in the tab “unified” which also includes mentions, lists, direct messages, and your timeline. This allows control and flexibility. Whenever there’s a new tweet, the icon will change color to easily keep you updated. You can modify the color of your tweets in the settings page. Composing tweets is even easier for silver bird. The compose box will display if you will compose a new tweet and hide if you won’t ust it to give a good look of the timeline. Silver bird has many other features that you might find interesting. You can download it free on a chrome browser.
  • Tweetings. This is almost the same as Silver Bird but the design is better than the previous one. The layout is the same as Silver Bird. The timeline is easy to view and you can update with just a single click. Searches, lists and trends are available here so you can update yourself on tweets on any topics. As with silver bird, you can also modify the settings here based on your preferences. It also has handy features like follow/unfollow and username’s auto-completion. Tweetings offers iPhone, iPad, Windows and Mac version that you can sync with Google Chrome.
  • Tweetbar. This is the simplest way of tweeting than the two previous extensions. You will just use the URL bar in sending tweets to anyone. This is the easiest and quickest way, you don’t need to open a new page or browser – just type and send the message!

Content Matters on Twitter

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There are many social media sites that are going out. The most famous ones are Facebook and Twitter. Each social media have distinct functions, uses and advantages. Twitter is a “real time” social network site because it shares information that is happening at the moment and connects with friends on real time.

Using this free and useful site is very fun. For a novice Twitter account holder, it can be intimidating and daunting. With the desire to explore and learn through little effort, Twitter can be exciting and enjoyable.

The first step in creating a Twitter account is by registering at Twitter.com. Signing up is free; you can sign up by registering your name, e-mail address and chosen password. Learning the Twitter language is essential to understand every words or activity you encounter. Lingo includes Retweet or RT, Tweet, TweetUps, Trending Topics (Tts), Lists and Promoted Tweets. Understand the meaning of each words will make it easier for you to understand Twitter. A tweet is your update that has 140 characters or less. This is used if you want to update your followers of your current activity or mindset. Gathering followers will depend on your choice whether you want it big or just few friends. Always check for replies from your followers meant for you. Contents matter on Twitter. If you have many followers, make sure that your posts are relevant and interesting. Never underrate the influence of your followers.

Decide your time and style for tweeting. Tweeter can also be addicting and time consuming like other social media sites. Consider how much time do you have to maintain a Twitter account and how big (or small) your followers will be. To avoid being annoyed by your followers, just concentrate on sharing of information and quality connections. Sending direct messages on Twitter will send the message to your desired follower directly. This has the same feature as email but is limited to 140 words only. You can only send direct messages to you followers. Like e-mail, it is only visible to you and your chosen follower. Just be aware that some Twitter account holder doesn’t like the DM feature because they want the Twitter feature of open communication with followers. Also, in sending DMs,  avoid sending marketing or advertising mails many do not appreciate this.

Twitter CEO Claims that They are not Censoring the Web

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The CEO of Twitter Dick Costolo has spoken out to clear things about the company’s new policy.  During a conference at Laguna Nigel, California, Costolo announced that the company is having changes with its censorship policies. Last week, Twitter announced that they will start to censor tweets in some countries to abide by their laws and just recently that they started to censor tweets base on a country’s local law. The move triggered outrage and protest among followers and used the tag #TwitterBlackout and promised to boycott the social networking’s site on January 28. But Costolo said that Twitter is not censoring the net or web. Also, along with his colleague Josh Catone, Costolo argued that Twitter’s new policy will provide a greater freedom of speech. In the previous policy, if the government asked to remove a particular tweet or block a follower, access to the tweet or to the person would be blocked throughout the world. In the new policy, Twitter will only hide the tweet and the blocked person to a particular country demanding it but other countries can access it.

Costolo also said that there will be no changes in their stance, attitude and policy with regards to Twitter content. Instead, they are announcing a greater capability of their current status. If Twitter has been issued a legal order in a country (like DMCA notice) where they operate, they will be able to get away with as many followers throughout the world as possible without stepping into a country’s local law. Operating in a country means following the law that they abide. Right now, Twitter is blocked in China and Iran and they are hoping to operate on these countries soon. In the end, Costolo said that he wanted Twitter to be as transparent as possible and the issue is his honest and thoughtful way of doing it.

The move has been accepted by Thailand and China is all-praise with regards to the new policy. The twitter CEO also defended that the move is not to enter China.  The censorship that China reinforces does not affect Twitter in any way like removing topics and the new policy of verifying the real name.

Ways Journalists Can Use Pinterest

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Pinterest is becoming the most visited social media website nowadays. Pinterest is a pin board which is online. It is very advantageous for journalists and bloggers because it gives those stories to tell, show their works to everybody and many more. It has more than 4 million users already during 2011 and is continuously growing as it becomes the talk of the town for many people now. If you want to show something like a favorite finds in the web, you can pin it on a themed board and display it for everyone to see. Like other social media site, you also need to sign up to fully participate in the web site.

Here are the seven ways in which journalists can benefit from using Pinterest:

  1. One of the best benefits of the social media site is that you can be able to show or post your works or stories online. Many companies now have already been doing this to promote their stuff like USA Today showing gift ideas and TIME showing its weekly covers for their magazines. It is also a great way to share your stories online with other people.
  2. You can find ideas for any trending stories that you may want to tackle or discuss for your journalism activity.
  3. You can post pictures and videos in Pinterest to show everyone what is happening elsewhere. This is good if you want to show someone and you’re far away from the person. If you are a journalist, this is good to deliver fresh news through pictures and videos.
  4. Since the site is picture based website, you can look for images if you want to your story to have an image.
  5. Photojournalist can post and sell their works via Pinterest. Just put a price and the website where it can be purchased.
  6. Pinterest can be an online storyboard. If you are trying to make a news story. You can create a storyboard either by using online images or posting your own pics and videos. You can also do research for your story project via Pinterest.
  7. You can make your own story or magazine by getting fresh articles or stories and combining it with top pictures or images at Pinterest.

Social Media Advantages To Small Businesses

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There are many factors to consider when setting up your own business. These factors are your product or service, price, location and also your promotions. If your business is new, promotions are usually done to make your business known to the public. Some do advertisements to introduce new products, discounted offerings or other seasonal promotions. These days, social media is an additional way businesses are getting the word out.

The use of social media is very widespread. Because of this, many entrepreneurs have grabbed the opportunity of it in promoting their businesses. Two of the most famous social media sites are Facebook and Twitter. The use of these social networks in business has been tremendous for business owners for a variety of reasons.

Cost efficiency is one of the many benefits of social media. For any entrepreneur, a huge income means a successful business. Of course, a great way to have a large income is to minimize expenses. Social media helps entrepreneurs minimize expenses because there are no fees involved. You just have to make your own site for your business, and make it public for everyone to see. There is no need to pay for suppliers to make you banners, flyers, business cards, etc. Social media networks can display your advertisement with no limited time unlike on other ad approach. Entrepreneurs who used social media for their marketing said that their business had an amazing result in terms of business operations and income.

Another benefit of social media is ease of use and efficiency. Since computers and internet are easily available nowadays, the use of social media for marketing is easier and more efficient. Entrepreneurs can be able to handle time management well because they can make and publish their marketing promotions at their own convenient time and place. This is especially effective if you are a computer literate who knows how to make advertisements for your business. Social media is not just advantageous for the entrepreneurs but for the customers also. Through this, they will learn about your business without having to go to your shop.

Google Plus Offers Businesses and Brands Their Own Pages

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After much demand, Google plus has finally added the ability for businesses and brands to create their own identity on the Google plus social network. This is a boon for those businesses looking to increase their presence online, but it is unclear how much it will dent Facebook’s current reach. It currently doesn’t have many of the useful features that are key to managing a company page. This is especially true for large businesses.

One such feature, multiple admins for company pages, is going to be necessary. Your average small entrepreneur or freelance worker may be able to get away with being the only ones administrating their own pages, but bigger companies or companies that pay to have their social presence managed, are going to have problems. Do they want other people to have access to their personal Google accounts? Do they want multiple people with password access to an account? Google needs to get that aspect fixed in a hurry.

When it comes to spending money with an online marketer, do people want to spend more money on an outlet that won’t give them as much of a return as Facebook right now? As short sighted as that may sound, many business owners have to think like that. The only thing that might give Google a leg up is whether these Plus pages factor into their search results. If so, then you could find the time and money investment to be more worthwhile. Of course, Google has been unclear on what ranking effect these pages may have.

Bottom line is the pages are certainly worth exploring, but you may want to avoid spending too much time working on them right now. It would be a good idea to wait and see how effective they are before you put the full weight of your online marketing department behind it.

Top 2 Things To Keep Your Kids Safe On Facebook

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As the technological age gets more and more extensive and encompassing, it seems that with each passing day social networking gets more and more widespread. It’s only a matter of time until your child will want to get a Facebook page of their own. Parents don’t freak out! It’s good that children today are eons more technologically savvy and interested than we ever were. The positives that come with expansive technology far outweigh the negatives. However, we need to be mindful of the potential danger that social networking can have on the impressionable minds of our kids. Here are 2 things that will keep your kids safe on Facebook.

1) Explain the importance of only “friending” kids that they know. Only classmates, those they play baseball or soccer with, kids who are within their proximity on a regular basis. Explain the dangers of adding people who they do not know and are not familiar with. This is just like anything else, parents. If you keep the lines of communication open with your children, they will be more likely to not only listen to you, but alert you if anything happens that makes them feel uneasy or uncomfortable.

2) Teach them the art of discretion and tact. There are far too many people who over share on Facebook. When things like this happen, people open up themselves for judgment and cruelty. Let your child know that Facebook is just a fun way to connect with friends and should never be used to tell secrets, spread lies or create gossip. When things like this start, it can quickly catapult into online bullying which, as recent news stories have told us, can be incredibly harmful, potentially leading to depression or anxiety.

Overall, just remind your child that it’s supposed to be a fun thing to take part in but to always be appropriate and safe with what they post. Like I mentioned earlier, if something goes wrong and the avenues of communication between the two of you are open, the likelihood that they will come to you is high. This is what you ideally want in all circumstances involving your children, not just with internet security.

The Correct use of Social Media for Captivating An Audience

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One of the best ways to communicate these days is through Social Media.  Not only do you speak; but others listen. There are some varied uses for Social Media. It’s about learning how to make it work to your advantage. The words” “Social” & “Media” have never been used like this since the dawn of time and they’ve taken on a whole new meaning, with a whole new set of rules and guidelines. Basically, Social Media gives you a reputation with other people, and that can place you in the internet lime light.

Having good, quality, tangible content is king and the more of it the better chances of success. Seems like a lot, but I want to convey the importance of content. A good example of content in the social space would be selling a car. To promote the car you you might have a series of posts talking about the car along with 3 or 4 pictures.  Front, back, and both sides, which give us an idea of the appearance.  Now consider another guy who is selling a car that is the same make, model and color as yours. However, he has 40 – 80 images, some videos of the car in action, and a nice continuous blog that posts stories of his love and affection for the car as well as trips taken with the car and why he is selling his beloved vehicle (new baby, just married, etc.). He is not only giving the potential buyers information through social media and making them better informed but he is also getting them emotionally involved. If you were looking for a car, which one of these people would you most likely buy from? That’s the power of social media. That’s also why you must be careful to use it correctly.

Social Media is also about the presentation of your content. Using quality content and much of it along with pictures and videos will make you effective. Not just saying, “Buy my car.” or “Eat at Joe’s” is going to be enough. People have a strong curiosity, and it must be satisfied. In many instances people are like children and a child often asks, “Why?” when told to do something, or informed about something. Providing answers is what your audience wants. Social Media is here to deliver using videos, pictures, online networking and much more. Remember, this is the information era, and if you cannot provide relevant information then you will have a very difficult time with gaining the reputation you need to be influential in the Social Media world.

Enhanced Networking with 3 Good LinkedIn Strategies

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Strategy 1: Networking Properly

Keeping in touch with people in your network is a proactive act, allowing you to pursue ties and maintain working relationships for future endeavors. Keeping your network active will open doors to many opportunities, whether in your personal life or professionally, and that will prove helpful and profitable for you in the long run.

Communicate with Colleagues—Maintaining contact with your friends, colleagues and professional associates can be valuable, especially if and when you need contacts to support your business. LinkedIn is one of the most popular social connectivity sites at the moment. In this website, you can showcase your professional status, letting your past and present colleagues know what you are currently up to.

Strategy 2: Join LinkedIn Groups

Welcome the New Members—

In order to have a Linked in profile that will garner enough positive impact towards your objectives, first you must browse through the newcomers section and break the ice with the new members. If you are looking to build new relationships or establish your own branding, introducing yourself is a good opportunity to start a conversation. You can choose to receive updates and alerts when a new member joins. When you see a new member, send a welcome message asking a question that would spark interest to start a conversation. You can also offer advice and expertise on questions that a newcomer might ask, so that you can encourage him to be involved in future discussions.

Strategy 3: Cultivate Network

Tips for Job Seekers-

In networking for business, the right introduction to the right contact is very important to establish a relationship. Your direct contacts may not hold the key for you to advance your career, but, they could be connected to someone who can. Introductions are the most solid foundation in making business networking significant. LinkedIn has made introductions to the right people digital and easy to complete with its “Introduction” feature. Profiles in LinkedIn have the standard introduction function that can help you contact your colleagues who might have connections in getting you the right job, or that promotion. Although there is a limit to the number of introductions you can make in a period, this feature is an effective tool to expand your connections and get to know the right kind of people to help you in getting your dream job. Your current connections may also be connected to an employer you wish to contact, and the LinkedIn introduction could get you the position.