Archive for the ‘Social Media Explained’ Category

You may have been hearing about a new technology called QR codes. It’s a scannable barcode of sorts that can contain all sorts of information within the code. The codes can be scanned with a number of different applications on all major smartphone platforms, to pull information to the user’s phone. Recently, the code is most often used alongside print ads to lead the user to an online deal, or a mobile app of some kind that is associated with the print media. When a user scans the code, they can either view the contact information or the text within the code, or they have the option of following a link to an application for purchase on their phone, or a regular website.

The Advantages

According to Nielsen Wire, smartphones are 25% of the U.S. mobile market, and that number continues to grow. This means that mobile technology, as well as advertising through this form of medium is only going to grow over the coming years.  The codes are small, simple, and easy to create. They are simple black and white, and can be used very easily with all forms of print media, and even online. They are free to create, and the apps that smartphones use to scan are often free so it does not cost consumers to pull information from the codes.

How to Use Them

Make sure that whoever handles your online/social media and marketing is aware of this technology and will use it. Ensure that where it’s feasible, your print ads contain a QR code to your website, or an online deal. Don’t post the code without any explanation of what it is for. Most people don’t know what they’re for, and won’t know what to do with the image itself. It doesn’t have to be fancy, in fact even a bit of text as simple as “scan this code with your smartphone to visit our website” will work. Just so your consumers know what to do with it. Be prepared to answer some simple questions about the codes and what they’re used for. Have someone on hand who is knowledgeable with the technology to answer questions, and direct people in the right path.

Some Top Apps for Barcodes

ScanLife
ScanLife has a popular barcode scanner for all the major smartphone platforms, and is free.

RedLaser
RedLaser is predominately built for the popular iPhone platform by Apple.

In a Nutshell

Having a wonderful product, service or idea is just the beginning; the real trick is getting your message out to the world. Slideshare.net allows users to upload fully functional versions of presentations and other professional documents and distribute or share them with anyone around the globe. Hlideshare.net offers both free accounts and a variety of paid accounts; each different account type provides the user with several different options and levels of content. Slideshare.net offers its users a variety of analytical tools and other utilities to increase or measure the popularity of their presentations or documents.

 Why Is It Useful

Presentation sharing sites like Slideshare.net can be extremely helpful when comes to delivering media rich content to anyone necessary around the globe. You can demonstrate the bells and whistles of your latest products or deliver high-quality technical support or troubleshooting instantaneously. This allows for tremendous increase in efficiency.

 Top Alternatives

Slideshare.net

 Scribd.com

 Issuu.com

In a Nutshell

Imagine how fantastic it would be if you no longer had to wait for someone to visit your website to see the wonderful content you posted to your website or blog. If you’re like most business owners your website and your blog play a vital role in the success of your organization, an RSS feed is just what you need to get the most out of your business. Despite what most people think RSS feeds are relatively simple. The basic principle of a RSS feed is that users can sign up to have your updated content from either a website or a  blog delivered right to them. Users can join a Webpage known as a RSS reader. This website checks for updates to blogs and websites that the user is interested in and delivers all of the content to the user in one place. This allows anyone to make sure they never miss out on an update from their favorite website.

Why Is It Useful?

Even a blog that is packed with the best and most meaningful information is useless if your customers aren’t coming to your website to read it. If you offer a RSS feed your customers can have new information from your website or blog sent directly to them. This is great news for you because no longer do you have to worry about your important news and announcements being missed because your customers have not yet visited your website. Once you incorporate RSS feeds into your website you never have to worry again about your valued customers missing out on special sales, promotions or new products. RSS feeds can also help you generate buzz and extend the reach of a marketing campaign. Even without visiting your website your customers or potential customers help your message to spread like wildfire across the web. RSS feeds are useful for more than just reaching your customers that also a fantastic way to keep up on trends and industry news.

Top Alternatives

Google.com/reader

Bloglines.com

Newsgator.com

Here’s the weekend wrap with a few stories that business owners will find interesting when it comes to social media.

49% of Small Business Owners Use Smartphones [STATS]
Firstly, some interesting facts about smartphone usage of small business owners. More reasons to make sure that your business optimized for the mobile platform.

5 Common LinkedIn Fallacies and Why You Shouldn’t Believe Them
If you’re in the professional world at all, chances are you’re on Linked In. And if you are, here are some common pitfalls to avoid, and some helpful tips as well.

6 Ways to Optimize Your Blog for Search Engines
If you have a blog, whether it’s a personal blog or a professional one, here are six things that you should do, or make sure your webmaster is doing for you. It’s important for your online content to t be optimized for search engines.

Remember the old saying, “Location, location, location?” The familiar adage reminds us that a location of an entity has so much to do with that entity, and how it is perceived. If you’re running your own business of any kind, having your location made known on Google Places is a must. Google Places is a tool for business users to publish their business information based on their location for free. Consider it a yellow pages of sorts, only categorized by location instead of alphanumerically.

When you Google something like “Pizza”, Google automatically assumes your zip code based on your ISP, and displays local results for businesses that pertain to your query. These listings are based on their address, and contain the location, as well as a phone number, website, business hours, a short description, as well as up to five categories and a business photo. As a business owner, it’s important that you have your business listed in these results. When you list your business with Google Places, Google uses the address you provide to relevantly display your business with search results, as well as it’s location in Google Maps, free of charge. As a business owner, using Google’s unique method of returning localized search results along with listings on it’s popular map service should definitely be a part of your online marketing plan.

Google mail? Since it’s unveiling as an invite-only service on April 1, 2004, Gmail has done nothing but grow, accelerate, and succeed when it comes to webmail. A free service to anyone who signs up for it, Gmail has become the industry leader in searchable, organizable, easy-to-use email.  Let’s take a look at Gmail’s main features.

1. Threaded emails

Remember when you used to email someone back in, say, 1999? You’d send them a message, they would reply and so on, until your inbox was chock full of individual messages. Sure, they were all quoted in each message so you could keep track, but your inbox was a mess and impossible to keep tabs on. Enter Gmail. When someone replies to your email in Gmail, it takes a nice little slot in your inbox, along with all the other messages in that conversation.

2. Google Search for Email

Remember when Google began to dominate the online search scene? You could search images, documents, and of course, the internet. But until Gmail, searchable email was sketchy and hard to use at best. Gmail allows you to search your email, using that same technology that Google used for their famous search engine. Just like the search engine, you can use all the boolean search terms as well as include/exclude terms.

3. Labels

Gmail allows users to set up labels for different messages, much like folders in Outlook or other email programs. Users can color-code the labels for different items, and apply filters to incoming messages to flag them with a particular label. Labels are particularly useful when using Gmail for more than one email account, and for people receiving massive amounts of email daily. They streamline the email organization process, and when combined with threaded conversations make for a much more organized email inbox.

4. Filters

As already mentioned, filters can be set up to automatically categorize emails. Once a filter is set up, when incoming messages apply to a given filter, the filter will then categorize according to a particular label, or mark the message as read, etc. Filters keep the inbox from becoming one big cluttered mess. They can even delete messages upon arrival if the messages meet given criteria.

Gmail is the all-in-one email solution. It can be set up to check/send email from multiple accounts, and it can also be used via POP access to an email client like Microsoft Outlook.

In a nutshell

Google is a search engine; so Google Voice is… Searchable voice? In a way, yes. Google takes the traditional method of calling, leaving/checking voicemails, and communication in general and puts it in a whole new light. Google Voice users can sign up for a Google number; one single number to use that will ring any combination of your other numbers. This eliminates confusion of voicemail boxes, and eases the process of getting back to someone. Users can define when certain numbers should be called, and can send particular callers to particular phones as well. In addition, Google has streamlined the voicemail process to include voicemail transcription, as well as sharing voicemails, and the ability to archive voicemails.

Why is it useful?

Users of Google Voice can streamline the way people get a hold of them. For instance, a user can designate a Google Voice number, and get notified of a voicemail via SMS, email, or the mobile application. They can make international calls through Google Voice’s app, or the dialer on some phones at just pennies per minute to most countries. Google Voice makes archiving, searching, and organizing voicemails simple, through its online portal.

Take an official tour

Top Alternatives

RingCentral

Line2

3Jam

VoxOx 2

Ribbit Mobile

In a nutshell

A web search engine is a way for people to find information on the Internet, and for businesses to advertise their services to potential customers. Searches are shown on the computer screen as a list with links for users to follow. Search engines reduce the amount of time needed to find specific information and make a direct contact for merchandise and services. Search engines use automated software called spiders or bots, continually sweeping for information, compiling that information for searches and presenting websites that rank high in hits, or visits. This information changes every nanosecond.

Why is it useful?

As billions of people incorporate the Internet into their lives and shopping habits, and as advertising declines in newspapers, radio and through direct mail, it is crucial for business owners take this medium seriously to increase market share. According to searchenginewatch.com, search engines are the primary way Internet users find information.

People these days are very impatient for information and want instant gratification. If your business does not have an Internet presence, the consumer may very well move onto another company that shows up on a search. Which is not to say that traditional advertising should be abandoned–your Internet presence is a part of your total marketing approach.

Top Alternatives
Search engines are as varied as a user’s interest. Far and away, Google accounts for 69.97 percent of all U.S. searches, followed by Yahoo! Search, Bing, and Ask. Dogpile is another all-purpose search engine while sidestep.com sweeps the Internet for the best travel deals. Do you want to make a donation to a worthwhile charity? There’s a search engine for that. Looking to buy or sell a home? Zillow’s search engine presents mortgage rates, available properties, maps and local neighborhood information. Thefind.com helps shoppers locate the best deals, as does shopzilla.com. Customers and clients have an infinite number of choices to find what they need on the Internet. Business owners should recognize this marketing opportunity as an integral part of sales.

In a nutshell
URL Shorteners are used to reduce the number of characters in a website address. For a expample, clickinghttp://www.wilsonmonnig.com/tinc?key=JxSCQUVa&id=19&design-output-mode=js&design-css-mode=standard on or http://bit.ly/25EvM4 will both take you to the same web page. Some services, like Bit.ly, also offers free statistics and charts to help you track click-through rates on specific shortened URLs.

Why is it useful?
URL shorteners are very useful for social media services like Twitter or Facebook that put a limit on the number of characters you can type in any one message. Some third-party Twitter services like Seesmic even include built in URL shorteners that generated an abbreviated web address right there and then. One downside to using shortened URLs is that sometimes spammers use them to direct unsuspecting users to malicious sites, so be aware that your customers may be cautious about clicking on your link.

Top Alternatives
TinyURL
Bit.ly
Ow.ly
dwarfURL
SnipURL

In a nutshell

People have been bookmarking web pages since the advent of the modern web browser, but free social bookmarking services like Delicious have take it a giant step further. Delicious, also known as Del.icio.us, is a social bookmarking web site for storing, sharing, and discovering web bookmarks. Web users can register a free account with at Delicious and immediately start saving their favorite web pages as they browse the Internet. They can choose to make their bookmarks private or available to other Delicious users to either refer back to later or share. A majority of blogs and web sites feature a Delicious icon to help users bookmark their site or articles to the user’s Delicious account. There are also an increasing number of browser add-ons that have been developed to make saving and sharing bookmarks even easier.

Why is it useful?

Delicious and other social bookmarking web sites can be a very powerful source of information and reference on any number of topics. Rather than relying on computers (search engines) to find links and web sites relating to your topic of choice, the sites that are bookmarked on delicious are actually cherry-picked by human beings who have found use and value in that information. Delicious also allows users to add descriptions and categorize links by adding multiple tags (keywords) that make the information much eaiser to sift through. As a web site owner, you should ensure that your site bookmark-friendly by adding a Delicious bookmarklet.

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Top Alternatives

Digg
Redditt
Newsvine
Google Bookmarks
Windows Live Favorites