SWOT #21: Time Travel, The Future, Google+ and Online TV

We, you and I, live in the future. Not far in the future, but the future nonetheless. If you're reading this, you are way ahead of much of the population. Not because my blog is anything special, but because many ordinary people just don't read blogs, or use services like Twitter and Google+. Every day we are exposed to new and emerging technologies online. Even if the technologies are not that new, the way they're used is often ground-breaking. We get in discussions over the value of Google+, … [Read more...]

The Fear of Twitter #TwitPhobia

Farneheit 451

Some people really struggle with the concept of Twitter. It does amaze me the defensive stance a simple tool that only allows the use of 140 characters at a time can evoke. Historically it is not unique. The written word is such a powerful medium that governments of all types have tried to destroy certain works in fear of them inciting unwanted behaviour. Book Burning In fact "Book Burning" dates back as far as the 3rd Century BC in China, but have been seen in the US as recent as the … [Read more...]

It’s Not The Number Of Followers That Count, But What You Do With Them

Value of an Existing Customer

You spend so much time working on increasing your followers. Tracking for keywords, following relevant people hoping they will follow back. Your followers grow but it still all feels a bit empty? Don't worry, it's quite natural. We all have a tendency to focus on the numbers. It doesn't matter whether it's Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ or even our Email List, we are always working on acquiring more subscribers. Is this really what we should be doing? Existing Customers Spend … [Read more...]

Why Google Is Such A Big Plus

Google Plus, the Opportunity

What do you mean my target audience isn't on Google Plus? The naysayers are back. With the launch of Google Plus Pages this week, the negativity drifts across the Interwebs yet again. Even hardened fans such as Robert Scoble found something negative to say about he latest update from the daddy of search. But wait a minute guys, it's not been 4 months since they went live, so what's with the scornful looks? A Reason to Use Google Plus I'm not sure, but now I have a reason to use Google Plus … [Read more...]

Google Plus Pages Open for Business

Google Plus for Business

We knew they were coming and Google didn't keep us waiting long. Google+ Business Pages are here. So what's the big deal? Unlike the enclosed environment of Facebook, Google+ is a lot more open. It's easier to follow and be followed, Circles are a great way to organise people who you are following. Then there are the potential SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) benefits. I did notice on setting up a Google+ page that as a business I can only follow people who are following my business. A … [Read more...]

SWOT #20: Uncertainty, Steve Jobs and Focus

Another busy week online and off; when we are busy it can be hard to keep focus. With so much to do it's easy to get caught in a procrastination loop that sees us achieving little. This can be deadly when it comes to Social Media and blogging in particular. Quite timely then that I happened to be reading a book called Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance by Jonathan Fields. Whilst the books main theme is about finding a way to control the fear that prevents us from being … [Read more...]

The Future is Going Mobile, Are You?

Ed Vaizey MP at IAB Engage 2011

I attended yesterday's IAB Engage conference in London this year for the first time. A chance meeting earlier in the year with Amit Kotecha, Mobile and Networks Manager at the IAB, we co-presented at Brand Republic's Social Media Strategy 2011, introduced me to the IAB. From an advertisers perspective it's a fantastic organisation with training and many conferences on offer, for free. IAB Engage is the event of the year for online marketeers, this year a celebrity interview with Dara … [Read more...]

Have You Had The Klout Knocked Out Of You?

Klout Graffiti

My first reaction to seeing my Klout score plummet overnight was disbelief. What had I done wrong? Apparently nothing, Klout scores have been re-calibrated across the board. Like the poor performing Euro the value of a Klout point has been downgraded. But why? Could it be that median scores were getting too close to 100? There's no value in a scoring system where you have too many people near the top end! Calculating Klout Klout calculates scores based on the following: How many … [Read more...]

Why You Shouldn’t Use Social Media

Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action

Why are you in business? Why do you write your blog? What is your purpose in life? If the reason you are doing these things is just to make money, then you shouldn't use Social Media, you should just get a job. Show Me the Money We all have to live, so money factors in what we do, but it should be as a by-product, not a purpose. This is why many, especially businesses, find Social Media so hard to grasp. They are always looking for the ROI in monetary terms, not at the long term good; … [Read more...]