Using Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media for businessmen is the best and cheapest way to advertise. It's FREE!!!!!! why not use t? The future of the ad industry is evolving. within the next 10 years i predict that there will be no more paper advertisements . Everything will be digital. no matter where you look on Facebook, or twitter today you see advertisements . imagine what it will be like next year? or two years from now? social media is becoming our society.
sites like Twitter allow you to follow your friends and celebrities, and athletes. It is cool because it allows people to see what their favorite player, or movie star isup too. It is probably the closest one will ever get to meeting them. You can even follow fictional people with funny posts .
Tips for Being a successful Social Media User
. Don't post incriminating pictures or posts that could come back to haunt you one day
. Do not put to much personal information out there.
. if you don't want people to know a lot about you you can sert your account to private.
. if run a business, or you are in the workplace, you can have a personal facebook, and a professional one.
If you walked into a room full of people and said raise your hand if you have a facebook, i guarantee almost everyone will raise their hand. The younger generation , our generation ,are almost addicted to Facebook. How many times have you been typing a paper or doing home work on your lap top, and your mind drifts off and you go onto facebook? It happens to me almost every time. Facebook was developed by Mark Zuckerburg, and Eduardo Saverin two Harvard graduates. As all of you know Facebook was made so we could stay in contact with one another, poist pictures, and make angry statuses . People use Facebook in many different ways. For example there was a man in Texas who saw his daughter complain about doing chores, and insulting her parents on Facebook. Watch this video to see what happens!
Businesses also use Facebook to promote themselves, and their products. For example my client for my Social Media Monitoring Project , Microsoft uses Facebook to its advantage.Xbox posts something almost everyday, whether it be advertising a game thart is coming out or a sweeptakes that is being offered. I follow the NFL and ESPN on my Facebook as well, and that is where i get most of my news regarding sports. I also follow the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox Celtics, and Bruins, my favorite teams. I always see them posting videos about most recent games, and promotions that the teams are involved in. Most recently, the Patriots have use Facebook tom post the link to their Proshop so you can purchase their new official NIKE jerseys. http://proshop.patriots.com/
A Video that I saw being posted all over Facebook before the Super Bowl this year was a funny parody song about Patriots Tight End Rob Gronkowski. It is just another way that Gronk likes to promote himself through social media.
Facebook does a lot of businesses, and customers. Not only does it offer a chance for promotions online, buyt it offers a chance for 1 on 1 interaction. An example of this would be from my Monitoring project. Xbox does a wonderful job of asking gamers for feedback on their games , and people do respond. They will post a trailer for a game and ask what do you think? From what I have noticed it has seemed to work. Another prime example would be how xbox wasn't making a lot of Kinnect games , and people started complaining about it. Customers posted ideas on Facebook, and now Xbox is starting to puit a focus on their Kinnect games. So through Facebook Xbox is keeping the customers satisfied.
Celebrities, athletes, and the music industry have taken over Facebook as well. You can choose to like certain celebrity or music group, and you can follow their posts, and stay connected. Following your favorite music group, or artist is cool because they post their newest songs and videos on Facebook so you can see them. I follow Eminem on Facebook, and he always posts videos of how his tours are going. You can see all the behind the scenes stuff, and see where he is in the country.
News affiliates such as CNN also use Facebook to post news so people may get it as quick as possible. I was on Facebook this morning and saw an interview with CNN where secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she would not run for vice president with President Obama if he asked here. This story had been floating around for a while, and she shot it down in that interview.
I think that Microsoft does advertise Xbox well, and the rest of its products. well. They use Facebook, and Twitter to their advantage, but I think improvements can be made. I have noticed that most of the things they post you really have to look for. You dont go onto their Facebook page and see something right away. It isn't right there in front of your face. Most of their links have no pictures associated, and the human eye is wired to see big bright colorful things first. So I would like to see Xbox and Microsoft better present what they are posting. Another goal I hope to see accomplished, is for them to use more than Facebook, , Twitter, and You tube. It was very difficult to find anything on cites like Ice Rocket. I would like to see them branch out to other social media networks. If they did this it would not only help themselves, but would help that social media network gain in popularity.
Tuesday March 27th, Xbox posted on Facebook about its Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 challenge .For the chance to win a custom Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2013 250 GB Kinect
console bundle, dress up like a golf pro and go to a Best Buy “Play It
First” event. Take a picture of yourself playing the in-store demo and
upload via Twitter with the...
hashtag “#TW13BETTERWKINECT” or email to TW13PGATOUR @hotmail.com.
Also, don’t forget to play this week’s Challenge Hole for a chance to
win the Grand Prize trip to THE PLAYERS Championship in Ponte Vedra,
Florida!This has been a big thing for fans of the game, and if not only brings Xbox money , but it gives Best Buy business as well. I find it interesting how they posted it on Facebook, but they say post the pictures on Twitter. Xbox is trying to incorporate both social media cites. It is a smart marketing strategy. This game is now available in stores. So let the competition begin!
For those of us football fans who love the Madden NFL football video game franchise , the time for us fans to vote for the Madden NFL 13 cover player has come. Every year a new NFL player is voted on to the cover of the new Madden game released in August. For the past 2 years however, EA sports has teamed up with Facebook, and Xbox to allow us fans to vote on who we believe should be the next Madden cover athlete. This year's voting started last week. It is almost like a bracket style where players are matched up against one another and we vote. This bracket is run by ESPN.com and Xbox posts links for it every week on Facebook, and Twitter. Players around tge league are even campaigning to be on the cover. Patriots Tight end Rob Gronkowski posted a video on You Tube asking his fans to please vote for him for the cover. It is a funny video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSxeQ_-pU7I
Xbox has been advertising its new game Dance Central 2 for the Kinnect . It was the best selling Kinnect game last year, but it uis getting mixed reviews. On facebook people are talking about the game, commenting on the link Xbox posted. Some people are excited about it, and others are just annoyed that it is coming out.
I have been monitoring Microsoft, with a focus on the Xbox 360. Even
though I have been focusing on the 360 itself, Microsoft did develop
something rather interesting. On February 28th of this year Microsoft
came out with it. It is called the Kinnect smart-cart.The same Kinect
sensor that allows you to play hands-free games on the Xbox may one day
help you grocery shop, according to a Geekwire Video that's being
shared widely. Whole Foods and Microsoft have created a
motorized grocery cart prototype that follows you around the store
without being pushed; tells you when you've grabbed the wrong item (say,
regular Coke instead of your preferred Diet Coke) and charges your
credit card automatically when it hears you say "checkout" as you leave
the store. The 'Smarter Cart' can tell you where items in the store are
located, and checks goods off your shopping list. If it can also detect
and correct wobbly wheels, we're sold.http://now.msn.com/money/0228-kinect-carts.aspx
Xbox
has certainly been busy the past few weeks. There has been some big
games released such as UFC Undisputed , and Mass Effect 3. On February
23rd, on Twitter, Xbox tweeted asking all its fans how they like UFC
Undisputed . It was mostly positive. The graphics, and overall game play
were the main topic fans were raving about. Just another example of
Xbox reaching out to its customers, asking for feedback to see what the
overall level of happiness was with the game. On February 22nd, Xbox
released the Mass Effect 3 " Take Back the Earth" trailer of Facebook.
For all the fans of the game it was a big deal. Here take a look
when i was on IceRocket I stumbled upon, an interesting link. On
March 14, Microsoft uploaded this article, and video. Andy Wilson, a
Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research, has been busy working with
colleagues on a project dubbed Beamatron.
It's an augmented reality concept that uses KinectFusion, another
Microsoft project, to create a 3D model of a space and build projected
graphics onto it. It also gets Kinect to see the room and its many
obstacles. Usually the Kinnect will only focus on you, and only you, but
this is a whole new tthing that could revolutionize the Kinnect. See
the video below.
Kinnect is applying some of this new technology in its new Xbox
games. For example, the new Star Wars game for the Kinect seems to be
the most high tech., and most interactive Kinnect game yet. You can
become a Jedi knight, actually fighting your enemies. You can re-enact
scenes from the movies, where it puts you yes you into the scene
replacing an actual character, and you interact with them. you can say
your lines, or just improve. They even have a fun filled dance mode for
the whole family.On March 12, Xbox posted this video on Facebook http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9VEyx4IeDM
When on Google, I searched Microsoft's most recent quaterly earnings , and found an astounding number. On January 19, 2012 Microsoft announced that in the secoind quarter alone Microsoft made $20.89 billion.Operating
income, net income, diluted earnings per share for the quarter
were$7.99 billion, $6.62 billion, and $0.78 per share, compared to $8.17
billion, $6.63 billion, and $0.77 per share respectively in the prior
year period. These numbers were released even before these new games
came out, so expect this quarters numbers to be just as high or higher.
If you have been waiting patiently for Wnidows Phone 7.5 Refresh the “Tango” update, it appears your wait is coming to an end. According to Tech Crunch,it is supposed to be released in China on March 21ist of this year.Microsoft has been sending out Chinese-language press invitations for the Beijing
debut of Tango on March 21st.
No official word on when it will
release to the rest of the world, but presumably very soon thereafter.
In some ways the Tango update is very much "the Nokia update"; Nokia’s
bread and butter has long been lower-cost phones in developing markets,
and by enabling Windows Phone to run on less powerful hardware they are really playing to Nokia’s market strength.
For this weeks assignment we read chapters five and six of the groundswell.The chapters were Listening to the Groundswell and Talking with the
Groundswell. While reading chapter 5 I read an interesting statement; your brand is what your customers say it is. You will not have a successful business if you have unhappy customers. How does a business make their customers happy? They listen to what their customers want.
"Most companies don't listen to their customers" .Usually that is the overall perspective of people but in fact that is wrong. As discussed during our class lecture, companies pay a large amount of
money to listen to their consumers very carefully. On average, companies spend about $15 billion annually.
There are a few different listening strategies for businesses to use. There are many ways you can find out what
consumers are saying about a brand or product . You can do this with blogging, and social media. The two main
listening strategies for major companies would be to set up your own
private community and begin to begin brand monitoring.
Once again it is imperative that companies, and businesses listen to their customers. they need to do this so that they can better their product, and adapt to changes. As a consumer I want to be asked how can they make my life better or what I think would make their product better. It builds a god relationship
Effective talking is another
important business strategy that one must possess in order to become
successful. Two of the main methods used that are discussed in the
chapter are advertising and public relations. I believe advertising to
be one of the most effective methods of communication there is.
Advertising companies own us. Everywhere you look there are advertisements. Look down at your
shoes, your sweatshirt or even your shorts .I guarantee you there are advertisements all over you. You are a walking billboard. Just look at all the major U.S cities. There billboards on poles, cabs, buses, streets, windows, shops, stadiums you name it. To get an ad during the Super Bowl you have to pay upwards of $3.5 million. The more it evolves the more advertising you will see on even more things.
The groundswell has changed, the business,, and social media world as we
know it. Companies are learning to embrace their customers and listen
to the positive as well as negative feedback. People are jumping at the
chance to put in their feedback on your product. They blog about it,
write articles, post stories etc. The groundswell is allowing companies
to monitor feedback , and make adjustmentys accordingly.
Faster innovation is something that is indeed powerful. First of all,
it doesn't take long for customers to tell you what they want. Secondly
with customers in the loop innovation occurs quicker, because you can
iterate-make continuous improvements . Take a look at this video . It
shows different types of recent innovation that have contributed to the
groundswell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh-_xmbvlec
Credit Mutual is a French bank corporation which has a unique slogan.
la banque a qui parler, which translated means a bank you can talk to.
They listen to their customers, and reach out for ideas on how they want
their banks to be run. it is almost like a democratic way of banking.
It is user friendly, and Credit Mutual has over 10 million customers
for a reason.
Humility and creativity can co exist in business according to Li, and
Bernoff. They say that when embracing your customers keep two main
things in mind. First, ask for suggestions like Credit Mutual did with
their customers. Also set up surveys , and other things, rating your
products and listening to the responses. The second thing to take into
consideration is you must be able to balance skill, and humility. If you
are a successful company such as Apple, who a lot of loyal customers
than you want to keep them loyal . You do this by not only creating a
good product , but also listen to customer suggestions and complaints.
If you hear the new IPhone doesn't take good pictures, put a new camera
on it. When a company is on top, you want to make sure you stay on top.
Adjust, adapt, evolve to better fit the needs of your customers.
Every Red Sox fan will always remember the team's historic collapse in
September 2011. The Sox had all the tools in place to make a World
Series run last season, but blew a 9 game lead in 25 days to be
eliminated from playoff contention. Red Sox GM Theo Edstien re-signed
after the season, and manager Terry Francona was fired. Rumors of
players drinking in the club house, and ordering food during games
created much controversy throughout the fall, and into the winter
months. Changes needed to be made, and they were .
Big question marks surround the Red Sox entering this 2012 season. One
big one being how will new manager Bobby Valentine handle the team. He
hasn't managed a team since 2002. He has been working at ESPN, as a
Baseball Tonight analyst ever since. The hiring of Valentine raiused a
lot of eye brows in Boston , but with a good team in place, we'll see
how he handles it.
A few roster moves have been made since the end of the 2011 season.
right fielder J.D Drew wasn't re-signed, and was replaced with Cody
Ross. Ross, formally of the San Fransisco Giants, won World series MVP
for them back in 2010. Ross is 31 years old, but adds a veteran presence
in the club house that could definatly help stabilize the locker room.
Our shortstops lat season, marco Scutero, and Jed Lowery are both gone,
and a competition between 30 year old Mike Aviles , and prospect Julio
Iglasias has begun to take over that spot. Every other position is
likely tio stay the same. Carl Crawford will play left field, Jacoby
Elsburry in center, and Cody Ross will play right. Kevin Youkillis will
play 3rd, shortstop is still up in the air, Dustin Pedroia will play
2nd base, and slugging Adrian Gonzalez will play 1st,, with Jared
Saltilamakia behind the plate.David ortiz will also be returning as our
DH, which is a great thing for the fans of Boston, because everybodty
loves Big Papi.
The pitching staff will most likly stay the same with a few changes. Jon
Lester will be our number 1 starter followed by Josh Beckett, and Clay
Bucholtz. diauske Matsuzaka will return from having season ending
shoulder surgery, and new comer Chris Carpenter from the Cubs will round
out our rotation. Long time starter Tim Wakefield has retired along
with catcher Jason Varetek, both will be missed. In the bullpen, you
will see pretty much the same guys as last year except the fact that
Johnathan Papelbon will not be back. He signed with the Philadelphia
Phillies , and Andrew Bailey who we got from the Oakland A's will
replace him. Bailey is a young solid closer who will hopefully add a
spark in the bullpen this year. In this Fenway Park's 100th season the
Red Sox hope to end the 2012 season the way they ended the 1912 season,
with a World Championship. Spring Training is underway, and we shall see
what happens.
After a few weeks of morning their Super Bowl XLVI loss to the New York
Giants, ad listening to all the what ifs? , its time to move on, and
start focusing on the 2012 season. A lot of question marks are
surrounding the Patriots going into this off season. Will Wes Welkeer
return to the team?,and how will they improve their dismal pass
defense?, A lot of questions
that every Patriots fan is extremely anxious to see answered.
I believe the Patriots will use the Franchise Tag on Wes Welker , their
star receiver. Welker has had 122 receptions for 1,569 yards, and 9
TD's on the season. He has been a consistent receiving threat in the NFL
for the last 5 seasons. He has been voted to 3 Pro Bowls, and should
defiantly be re signed. With the Franchise Tag, this would mean the
Patriots would give him a one year contract, and pay him the average
salary of the top 5 paid players' salaries at that position. he wants to
be here, and I am sure he'll work out a long term deal to stay in New
England. He is to important to Tom Brady, and this offense to let him
go.
Our defense was anything but dominant this year. We struggled
tremendouslythroughout the season, especially in the passing game.
Rookie sensation last year Devin McCourtty , was anything but
sensational in 2011. He was constantly picked on, and gave up over 1000
yards passing by opposing quarterbacks when thrown in his direction.
McCourtty finished the season with only 2 interceptions as opposed to
the 7 he had his rookie season. He has the talent, but let's just hope
this was just a sophomore slump, and returns to form this upcoming
season. On the other side of the field was Kyle arrington who finished
the season with 7 interceptions , but gave up a lot of big plays in the
process. Patriots fans know what they're going to get from Pat Chung at
strong safety, but free safety is a big question mark. James Ihedigbo
struggled mightily all season, and rookie Sterling Moore really played
well in the playoffs and Super Bowl.
A likely possibility for improving the secondary is to put Devin
McCourtty to free safety, and either draft a corner in this year's draft
or sign a veteran player in free agency. Someone I could really see
coming to New England is free agent Champ Bailey who is a future Hall of
Farmer. he has spent most of his time with tthe Denver Broncos, and
because of his age, they might not re sign him. For the right amount of
money, he woulkd be a great addition to a dismal pass defense.
It should be an interesting off season, but Patriots fans should be
excited knowing that we came so close with such an awful defense. With
some improvements on defense and Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and both our
star tight ends Rob Gronkowski , and Aaron Hernandez leading the way, we
should be in great position to make another run at a Super Bowl
championship.
I have been reading the book groundswell by Charlene Li, and Josh Bernoff. The four chapters I will be covering are
Chapter1-Why the groundswell, and why now?
Chapter 2- jujitsu and the technologies of the groundswell
Chapter 3- the social technographics profile
Chapter 4- strategies for tapping the groundswell
For those of you who don't know about the groundswell, it is a "social thread in which people use technologies to get things they need from each other ,rather than from traditional institutions like corporations" (pg.9). The internet is sparking this. The internet, is not just a luxury anymore, it is becoming a necessity. People are connecting with one another online from around the world. Corporations in different countries conduct business online, over Skype, without even being in the same room. Li, and Bernoff provide examples explaining how a companies image can be tarnished or hurt from something someone puts online , in an article, or a blog. This has been a gateway for people to better voice their opinions on topics, and to protest on issues, and let the whole world see at an instance. This has also allowed PR companies to better communicate with the people.
Technologies are constantly changing and being upgraded. so practitioners need to be aware of these changes, and learn to adapt to them to keep up with our ever changing world. It isn't just learning about these new technologies, that is challenging. The challenge is to meet your goals for not only your business, but your customers in a manageable smart mannor.
Ways to group groundswells users
We have the creators, people who create and publish an online article once a month. We have the Critics, those who react to the online content. The Collectors, save URL's and bookmarks ., Joiners, participate and join in on social networking sites. Spectatators, consume what the rest produce, and the Inactive don't participate. I read an interesting quote on pg. 45 stating " The real power in the Social Technographics Profile, is this; with it we can understand how social technographics are being adopted by any group of people". Understanding this is key to targeting the public.
There are 5 objectives that a company can persue in the groundswell.
1. Listening- use the groundswell for research, and better understand your customers.
2. Talking- use groundswell to spread messages about your company.
3. Energizing- Find your most enthusiastic customers, and use the groundswell to supercharge their word or mouth.
4. Supporting- setting up groundswell will allow your customers to supprt one another
5. Embracing- use groundswell to interview your customers, so they can help you better design your product.
