4 Reasons Why Videos are a MUST in Social Media

By: Susan Frantz
Online Communication Assistant

How many times a day or week are you inclined to watch a video posted on a social media site? Once a day? According to The Social Skinny and their recent stats, about 3 billion hours of video watching happens on YouTube each month!  3 billion hours… Do you know what that means? It means that it’s  imperative for to incorporate video into your social media effort. Here are our top 4 reasons why video and social media go hand in hand – and why you should incorporate it into your social media mix.

1. Video gives your brand a voice. It gives your audience a way to connect with your brand in a simple and tangible way, providing a quality, personal interaction. Your fans will be seeing and hearing what your brand has to say, thus allowing them to connect.
2. People like videos more than photos and simple status updates. It’s a simple fact. The virility of a video post is much higher than that of a photo or status update. (Photos with content are still better than basic posts, though.)
3. What happens when people like videos? They share them. A video can “go viral” in the blink of the eye when people like the content. Not every great or funny video gets millions of views or shares, but many good videos still get hundreds or even thousands – and that’s more than you’ll get if you don’t try.
4. It’s easy. Thanks to all the tech savvy, smart phone creators, it’s easy to shoot video now. Taking a video is as easy as swiping your thumb on the screen of a phone or pushing a button. Video editing can even be done on a mobile phone, tablet or on easily-available software for a laptop or desktop.

Check out one of our recent social media videos.

Incorporating video into your social media effort will provide qualitative and quantitative results. It’ll offer richer, deeper connections with your audience and provide measurement opportunities for your reach and engagement.

Have questions about integrating video into your social media plan? Give us a call. Happy filming!

Stay tuned for next week’s blog. We will share how to make a successful video for your social media effort.

Infographic: People are on Social Media, but Where?

More than 1 billion people access Facebook per month and there are 11 million users of Instagram, arguably one of the social media newbies. People are using social media to communicate and share, but where are they? Social Media Today shared an infographic recently which explains just that.

Be sure to check out their speculations on the highest and least growing trends – towards the bottom.

Any of these stats surprise you? Share your thoughts via a comment here or on our Facebook page.

Social Media Day 2012!

June 30th is recognized internationally as Social Media Day. It’s kind of a big deal around these parts… Check out how PTE is participating.

 

So, who’s your favorite PTE-er who’s bringing social media to life?

5 Social Media Resources, OTHER THAN Facebook and Twitter

Another gem from our talented Internet Marketing Strategist, Alex Fernandez, this week we’re covering social media resources other than the obvious – Facebook and Twitter. From websites to tools, these are valuable resources anyone can use. There’s certain to be something covered for everyone…

#1 Involver Applications
Involver is a great resource for the social savvy marketer that wants the freedom to think outside the confines or limitations of social media websites. Their Facebook applications are superb. Yes, this blog entry is about resources OTHER THAN Facebook and Twitter, but I would argue that Involver (and Wildfire, below) completely transform Facebook. You can add an RSS tab, a YouTube video tab, a Twitter tab, or create a completely custom HTML tab – right on your Facebook page.

#2 Wildfire Iframes
Wildfire offers an entire suite of products, that help with promoting your company through social media. My favorite product of theirs, however, is completely separate from their suite. They have a completely free Facbeook app, called Iframes (much like Involver’s static HTML app), which has a feature, called Fan Gate. Fan Gate is a means to generate likes on Facebook. It essentially allows users to “unlock” coupons, exclusive products, downloadable content, etc. by liking you on Facebook.  This is possible with Involver too, but not quite as simple.

#3 YouTube
YouTube is the Internet’s largest video website and also the second leading search engine in the world. A presence on this site is vital to any business that wants to be found. Aside from that – people like video. Aside from all things Facebook, online video is the most preferred and consumed form of online content.

#4 LinkedIn
It’s important to have a business presence on LinkedIn. This site is the number one professional social network in the world. New additions like status updates for company pages have made their already-robust website a truly viable channel for companies seeking to connect with business professionals. Another notable feature of LinkedIn is Groups. These can be created any user, and have a wide variety of applications. We use groups to engage communities with our clients, but I’ve seen them used as company intranets for employees, and forums for industry professionals.

#5 Yelp and other User Review websites:
Today’s consumer shares their experience with the entire world, through social media review websites. There are several popular review sites, including Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google Places, Yahoo! Local, UrbanSpoon, and the list goes on. Each has somewhat of a  different focus. For example, TripAdvisor is travel and tourism focused, where UrbanSpoon has a restaurant focus. It’s important for brands to claim their business on these websites, and respond to all reviews, both positive and negative.

Have questions or want some help? Want to see examples of these in use for our clients? Contact Alex – alex(at)getpushing.com!

Alex Fernandez
Pushing the Envelope, Inc.
http://www.getpushing.com/about/alex-fernandez/
http://www.getpushing.com/news/alex-fernandez-earns-internet-marketing-masters-degree/

Google+… A big PLUS, for all of us

By now you probably know that there’s a new social network in town, and it’s not going away any time soon. Google+ has been hyped throughout the blogosphere as “the next big social network”. Some have even gone as far as calling “better than Facebook”.

So, should we freak out just yet? We all know that upstart social media websites can come and go like the wind… But this one is Google, and grew to over 10 million users in just 16 days, compared to the approximately 800 days it took Twitter or Facebook to reach the 10 million mark.

So why are people flocking to Google+? From what we’ve seen so far, it might be for good reason. Google+ has some very flattering traits:

Smart UI. It has a delightfully simple user interface. You log in, and there is a scarcity of crap. Google + is clean and easy to navigate. The “Circles” feature serves two purposes: sharing the right information with the right people, and viewing only the kind of information you want to view. Now you can share bad humor with your college buddies and not with your mom!

• Initial thought: IF Google+ becomes a behemoth like Facebook – and that’s still a big if – the Circles feature will force any marketer on Google+ to develop nothing but awesome content, or it will never be seen. This is because users can easily filter their activity by Circles. If they don’t want to see your boring, sales-y posts – they won’t.

Instant ubiquity. It’s a Google platform, and integrates with [most] other Google platforms seamlessly. Gmail, Google Talk, Google Reader, Google News, Google Calendar, and now Google+: All accessible and sharable with one login. You’ll notice the Google navigation bar received a facelift recently. The newly added “Share” button allows you to share any content viewed on any Google platform in Google+.

• Initial thought: This allows for super convenient and super rich posts! Check out this example: This person is sharing their location with Google Check-ins, with along with a Google Map, and a picture, right from their Google phone.

Unique features. Case in point: Hangouts. Essentially, Hangouts is a platform for spontaneous video chats. With hangouts, you can broadcast to any of your circles that you are up for hanging out. Up to 10 people can join in at one time, and share text, their screens, and YouTube videos. Other very notable features include Huddle (for texting in real time with a group of people) and Sparks (Google’s new “social media reader”).

• Initial thought: These are all great – but are people going to “get it”? Younger generations that have grown up on MySpace and Facebook might thrive on this technology, but will this be tech-overload for the masses?

Speed bumps for the future… There ARE some minuses when it comes to Google+.

1. For one, the most recently updated content rises to the top of the stream, no matter what it is. We’ve all seen the annoying Facebook posts that have 957 comments, and this is the kind of post that Google+ will keep right at the top of your stream!
2. Also, there’s no stream search? Seriously?! The worlds most popular search company didn’t build a stream search into their social network?
3. Also, it’s silly how many steps it takes to send a private message to someone. I won’t go into detail, just trust me.
4. And no YouTube integration? The new navigation bare and share button would be way cooler if it were on YouTube as well.
5. Lastly, although the Google+ team HAS addressed the issue: There are no business pages, and no marketing tools for businesses – yet.

Despite the minuses, and the uncertainty of any social network’s future, Google+ is an exciting new online experience for us to partake in. The best part about it, in this social media guy’s experience, is that other social networks (ehem… Facebook!) will certainly have to up their game in order to compete. So, whether Google+ succeeds or not – the Internet will become a better place for all users because of it.

Check it out for yourself, at plus.google.com.

3 Steps to Take for Social Media Awareness

Guest Post By: Alex Fernandez, Social Media Strategist at PTE

Creating social media awareness can be the difference between success and failure for any social media marketing campaign. It’s great that you’ve started to leverage social media, and you may have some great content ideas – but you have to let the world know that you’re here! Ask yourself: do your employees and customers have multiple chances to learn about your social media involvement each time they interact with the brand?

The array of opportunities to communicate that you’re using social media is only limited by your creativity. Still, there are several basic steps all should follow when getting started. Here are a few to consider:

Internal awareness comes first. This step is often overlooked, especially with larger companies. In the early stages of a social campaign (when accounts are being created): audience sizes are very small, and it’s not set in stone who will be doing what. Internal awareness solves this issue. Your initial social media advocates should be people working within the organization. Have a meeting with your leadership team to talk about how to spread the word, include social media as a topic in your next newsletter, email links to your social assets and ask for involvement – anything to get the word spreading internally.

Integrate with other communications. Social media should be treated like any media – it needs to be leveraged strategically. While there are many nuances to social etiquette, communications should still be aligned with your overall marketing strategy. Think back to when BestBuy started their Twelpforce campaign: BestBuy launched a 24/7 Twitter-based customer service platform, and created awareness for the campaign with a fully integrated ad campaign, including TV, print, and online display ads. If a large-scale campaign is out of the question, adding social icons and links to your website’s homepage and E-communications is a great start. Social media links should also be included in your email signature.

Add social cues to your print materials. This goes hand-in-hand with integrated marketing communications, but speaks more to attracting the offline world to your social media. For example, if you are having tri-fold brochures, postcards, POS materials, direct mail, or business cards printed, be sure to make sure they have URLs, social icons, or QR codes (a common practice targeting smart phone users) to promote your social media assets. Having these cues on your print materials provides a tangible reminder of your online community.

If your brand is leveraging all of the above means for creating social media awareness, then you are off to a great start! If not, implement some (or all) of the above strategies, and think up a few new ones while you’re at it!

Should you need assistance with your social media awesomeness… [shameless PTE plug] feel free to contact us!

www.getpushing.com | (239) 221 – 2858 | info{at}getpushing.com

FPRA Conference Part 1 – Deirdre Breakenridge

Yesterday marked the second day of the 2010 FPRA Annual Conference, but it was the first day I attended. The opening keynote was none other than PR and Web 2.0 leader, Deirdre Breakenrdige! You may recognize her from the book “Putting the Public Back in Public Relations” or her #prstudchat on Twitter – or one of the many other things she’s involved in.

While the entire conference is a knock out, packed with information for all PR professionals to grow on, I was particularly excited about this session. And, per PTE style – have laptop, will travel – I took notes to blog on the session for you (who couldn’t attend)!

Below are excerpts from the presentation. For more notes and reviews, be sure to check out the main FPRA blog.

PR R(e)volution: When Traditional Communication Meets Social Media

 

 

We are reinventing our industry. We’re moving away from complacency of communication to this new social media (SM) power. Before, most marketing/PR/advertising professionals used a “spray and pray” method of reaching audiences – sending messages out into the masses. Those broadcast messages don’t exist in the SM landscape and we’re now (or should be) more focused on interaction, engagement and relationships. This new media has given us a direct connect to the end user (target audience) that we never had before.

It’s very simple: Meaningful communication = valuable resource

PR can lead to earning new found recognition. With SM there are choices for how a business can tell a/their story. It’s no longer just press releases. Using connections has more power and resonates more. Instead of an ad, it’s someone the target audience trusts telling them about it.

Deirdre broke down the various online storytellers. These are the bloggers and people will influence online. They are independent, but often have the power of a national publication. However, depending on the level or category they fall into, there are pros and cons…

• Online audience/storytellers
  • Primary newsmaker bloggers – 300,000 followers (equal to NYT, they offer a heavy first hit of coverage, but move on quickly)
  • Secondary (magic middle) – influencer with less following, but still packs a PR punch. They have a loyal audience.
  • Tastemakers – fewer followers, but they take the story from the beginning to the end and really sell it.

Here’s the key – consumers drive and control their communication. We have to listen 1st before we start sending our messages. This is something we as PR/marketing/advertising professionals have been hearing more about recently. It’s really common sense though. How can we know what our consumers want if we don’t ask and/or listen? With SM we can.

The Hybrid Factor – Blending Traditional PR and the New World of SM

• A hybrid exists in the middle. It’s the best of the past, traditional PR, and the new, social media.
  • Traditional – audiences reached through impressions
  • SM  – audience reached through engagement

Characteristics of the Hybrid PR Professional:

• Social media “expert” (there really is no such thing  as a SM expert, as we’re all continually learning, but someone who has a good command of the tools)
• Sociologist
• Market analyst/expert
• Web marketer
• Customer service representative
• Relationship marketer
• Viral marketer
• Conversationalist/listener
• Research librarian (as we are always learning, we’re also always looking for new information, tools and tips to grow ourselves, our companies & colleagues)

On the way to becoming a hybrid PR professional, there are a few questions to consider for your organization/clients:

• Have we evaluated our recent communications?
• What’s working for us traditionally?
• What’s working for us online?
• What’s not working?
• Have we listened/monitored the social media landscape?
• Are there places that it would make sense to engage?
• Who are we looking to reach?
• What’s the best type of content to share?

Don’t forget your guidelines!

Anytime a company is engaging in SM it’s imperative that ALL parties are on the same page. From who will manage it, to scheduling and what can/can’t be said online, the SM policy is critical to real SM success.

Policy development should be done in the beginning! It coincides with your strategy and planning and should include security and legal aspects. For instance, what if an employee leaves? Do you have their passwords? What if trade secrets are released on negative comments are being made? Have a plan in place!

SM policy examples:

• Complete online database of SM policies – Social Media Governance
• Corporate example, fully viewable for everyone – IBM
• Mashable’s 10 Must-Haves for your SM Policy

 

Playing the Popularity Game in Social Media?

Are you playing the popularity game in social media? I mean, are you keeping track of fans/likes, followers and lists? Probably, right? We do too, but is that all you’re measuring your social media engagement by? If so, I must agree with best-selling author Seth Godin and say – PLEASE STOP.

Either stop doing what you’re doing in social media all together or stop using those numbers as guides and start really evaluating your online networking – in an efficient and valuable way.

Using social media to communicate with your consumers or make new connections is brilliant and I wholeheartedly encourage it (for most people and businesses). However, more and more I’m hearing people say they gauge their success by how many connections they have on LinkedIn or new “likes” they got on Facebook this week. This isn’t the point.

As Seth points out, for our interaction on social media networks to really be worthwhile they must drive some action and form a relationship. In Seth’s case it’s allowing him to sleep over at someone’s home. For you it could be someone making an important introduction for you or developing a key resource. If you are “friends” with them, but you don’t know their personal email or how to directly connect with them, what’s the use?

Social media is not a one-time effort or “get rich quick” situation. It’s about meeting, connecting, learning, listening and staying engaged. See more thoughts on this in our Twitip “Start Dating your Twitter Followers – Back to the Basics of Consumer Relationships”.

Here are some ideas for better social media measurement:

1. Links (use Tiny.cc or Bit.ly - free & easy)
2. Traffic driven to your Website or page (use Google Analytics – free & easy)
3. Search.Twitter.com (gauge sentiment, get as detailed as you want & really dig down to see where the chatter is – don’t forget to see what you’re competition is up to while you’re at it!)
4. Facebook’s Insights for business pages (it’s been recently updated & now includes more valuable stats)
5. Monitor comments, frequency, etc. (Check out Social Mention & Google Alerts)

What are other ways you are measuring your social media engagement/success?

Social Media in Southwest Florida

 

Mashable, reporter online of just about everything to do with social media, recently coordinated the first annual “Social Media Day” on June 30. Excited about this event as we do so much with these communication tools, PTE participated and helped spread the word.

As a result, The News-Press was interested in the topic and came out to cover the event, held at Firepit City Grill in Gulf Coast Town Center. Plus, a number of us were included in the article published in today’s paper. Check it out in the business section or online.

Don’t forget – if you’re social too – we’re on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin & FourSquare. Talk to you soon!