Social Media News of the Day: September 1, 2010

Now This is Just Weird

Bashkim Isai has come up with a plant whose well being and livelihood depends on the attention given by his Facebook friends. Sounds complicated, I know, but in reality it’s pretty genius. The watering and food system is triggered by social interaction. Not enough contact will cause the plant to die and, yes, too much interaction could cause its demise.

The Meat Eater does post on the Facebook page if he is hungry and needs more attention or if he has too much attention and is being over-fed. The page already has 1,200 fans and has only been active for a little over two months.

What a neat way to showcase the best part of social media: communication while reminding us how connected we are to the environment!

Everyone’s a Movie Star

A few months ago I helped spread the word through social media about a YouTube project called “Life In A Day” by Ridley Scott. The project allowed anyone to submit videos on YouTube of their life unfolding on Saturday, July 24.

As they edit the movie, they’ve released several submissions on their YouTube channel to keep people interested and entertained. The final movie will focus on 25 submissions and those chosen really will get the star treatment: attending Sundance this year!

I personally can’t wait to see how it turns out, and for those interested it will be available on YouTube after its release in several different languages! Did any of you submit your life?

Social Media News of the Day: August 31, 2010

The New Layout Wasn’t Enough

A few weeks ago we were introduced to the new and improved MySpace layout. I admitted then that it did look a million times better, but I have to be honest in saying that I’ve only visited the site once since then and only to read a band’s blog post.

My point is that the new layout did not save MySpace, and that was made even more clear today when they announced their partnership with Facebook. Now Myspace users can synchronize their updates and other activities with their Facebook account.

Is this one last attempt for MySpace to be relevant? Do you think it will work?

I Need These Tickets!

Foursquare and MTV have partnered up to promote the MTV Video Music Awards on September 12. They’ve created a special badge for any Foursquare user who checks into a music venue anywhere in the United States.

A word from the wise (or insane): Make sure the venue was submitted with music as the category or your badge will not be unlocked. I checked into the Music Farm in Charleston today and was unable to receive the badge because it was listed as a bar (by the way, I changed this!).

The best part about getting the moon man badge is it automatically enters you into a drawing for 2 tickets and a trip to the VMA’s!! Now that I think about it, I should have written my blog about something else so no one else wins “my” prize.  Just kidding, good luck everyone!

Social Media News of the Day: August 24, 2010

Your Daily Dose?

We all need a little inspiration sometimes, but what if you could get it every day? My dad enjoys his daily dose of food inspiration while I prefer a great laugh in the morning to get me going. Mashable [offers up] a list of 20 fun and inspirational accounts to check out on Twitter.

The Unblockable

You would think that Mark Zuckerberg is unable to be blocked on Facebook because he is the creator,  but that’s not the case. This past weekend it was released that you cannot block Zuckerberg, because it is an automated feature that kicks in when someone is blocked in high volumes. Sorry Mark!

The Beach Bum Android App

Google Earth, which allows you to experience a more in depth look at the globe, will now let you go under water on its Android app. It will be able to pinpoint sweet surf spots and what creatures are looming underneath your feet. If you’re interested in this application this article provides a QR code to download it. Enjoy!

Social Media News of the Day: August 23, 2010

Make It Snappy!

Now a days we’re always looking for the fastest way to do, well ,everything. There are a few things though that should be fast and just aren’t. My favorite example is that I am notorious for texting while doing a million other actions. I always look down after typing a whole sentence and realize I have messed words up and have to press the delete key for what seems like forever to make the corrections. Mashable released a handy list today of keyboard shortcuts and they really do save time. I don’t have an iPhone but got to check out the shortcuts on a friend’s phone and now I am jealous!

Nationwide Groupon

If you’re anything like me, you wake up in the morning, brush your teeth and then check your inbox for your morning Groupon. The social buying company has only been in Charleston a few weeks, and it’s already part of my morning routine. Last Thursday I was surprised and stoked to see that the coupon was for the Gap! This is the first time that a nationwide retailer has done a Groupon and by 2 p.m. they had already sold 250,000 Groupons! Sounds like a success to me, what do you think?

Foursquare/Places Update

Everyone in the social media world and beyond has been talking about the new Facebook Places. I have said a few times that my main concern is what does this mean for Foursquare?  Looking at the many articles on Mashable, MediaPost and Marketing Daily, that’s on the top of lots of people’s minds, but what does Foursquare CEO Dennis Crowley think?

In an interview last week, he explains what Foursquare will do to compete in the location market and what their plans are for the future.  Do you think Facebook will take over the location game or could this be another David and Goliath story?

Social Media News of the Day: August 19, 2010

Oh the “Places” We’ll Go!

The big and arguably only social media news today is Facebook’s arrival into the location-sphere with the release of Places. My inbox was flooded with articles about last nights’ announcement and the iPhone app that goes along with it (Blackberry and Android apps to come). By the end of the week, we will be checking in not only on Foursquare but on Facebook, checking out what friends are close by and becoming walking advertisements for all the companies we visit.

Facebook is undoubtedly the mecca of social media but one problem that the giant could face with Places is (drum roll please) PRIVACY! This has been an on-going issue for CEO Mark Zuckerberg and one that will no doubt reappear when people start posting their direct locations on the site.

This new feature is very similar to Foursquare in the sense that you check-in to locations, you can add a venue, share your location via Facebook and discover where your friends are checking-in.  Some differences are that in order for a venue to be seen by all users it has to be requested several times. Also, you can tag friends who are with you at your check-in location.

Currently, Gowalla, Foursquare, Yelp and a few others are partnering with Facebook on this endeavor. No one was too clear on what the partnerships entailed but what we do know is Foursquare VP of Mobile Partnerships, Holger Luedorf, has not even seen the application yet. What do you think about Facebook entering the geolocation world? Do you think this will cause all the other location-based companies to run for the hills?

Social Media News of the Day: August 16, 2010

The Ultimate Fan Club

We’re all aware at this point that location-based social media has huge potential and is on the top of all social media nerds’ radars. Personally, Foursquare is on the top of my list, mainly because I see the most potential for advertising and company growth on this application. With that said, I’m very excited about what Miso is offering avid TV watchers like myself.

They’ve started a partnership with WE TV to allow viewers to check-in to their favorite programs. They’re testing the idea on the popular reality show, Bridezillas. By checking in when you watch an episode, you’re part of their Fan Club, which allows you to attain badges (HELLO, FOURSQUARE KNOCK OFF) and additional content that regular viewers will not get.

Miso is also working with TNT to do a similar promotion, proving that this has some wonderful potential. My advice is for Miso to inquire about being bought out by Foursquare before they take this over since they already partner with E!, History Channel and several other channels!

Travel Made Easy

Delta has just launched a Facebook application that allows users to search, book and share flights without ever leaving the social media network. Delta is the first travel company to isolate all parts of the booking process inside Facebook.

Although this is a new and impressive feature for travelers, here at Step Ahead we’ve been helping families and individuals book their beach trips through Facebook. Check out any of our MyrtleBeachHotels.com Facebook pages to get rate requests, ask questions about the Myrtle Beach area or post your family vacation photos!

Social Media News of the Day: August 4, 2010

No More Check-in Fatigue!

There is now a new app, called Future Checkin which allows you to check-in automatically to your favorite Foursquare stops. If you follow me on Twitter (@ebailey126) or are my friend on Facebook you are aware that I go to Starbucks on East Bay everyday between the hours of 2 and 4. Now instead of me holding up the line to get out my phone and check-in, I can program it to automatically check me in, when I walk in the door. Pretty awesome, right?

Do you Love Social Media Enough?

To get a tattoo of your twitter handle or maybe even the Facebook logo? I told my office today that there are really only a few things that I love enough to put on my body forever and most of those items are food related. While I contemplate the idea of a Moe’s or Chick-fil-A tattoos, here are some people who loved technology enough to get these clever “tats.”

Halleluiah!

Facebook has updated and made changes to their Android application today. I am so excited to be able to look at my friend’s videos, RSVP to events and approve friend request without having to navigate away from the page. There is still room for improvement but this is a great start and if you have not received the update yet, you can just re-install the application (that’s what I had to do).

Social Media News of the Day: August 3, 2010

I Owe How Much?

Ever wonder if you’re being ripped off by taxi drivers in New York, Philadelphia, London or even downtown Charleston? Bing Maps has now come up with a Cab Fare Calculator that will tell you the shortest route from point A to point B and how much your taxi will cost you. This is the perfect tool for travelers or those new to a city! How long do you think it will take for Apple to make an app for that?

Don’t Speed, Facebook Will Catch You!

Police in Delhi, India, are using Facebook to catch and ticket misbehaving drivers. Citizens post pictures of the problem driver’s license plate and this is how the police ticket the driver. This is helpful in Delhi because they have more than 12 million residents but only 5,000 traffic cops. Will this idea make its way to the United States and how would it work?

My Favorite Elementary School Memory

Computer lab day when I was in elementary school consisted of a green and black screen with Number Crunchers, Geometric Golfer and, of course, Oregon Trail. These games were simple but genius! Oregon Trail consisted of you and your family traveling in a covered wagon over 2,000 miles across hills, rivers and rough terrains. Most of the time my character caught dysentery and died but I will never forget the day that I won Oregon Trail. It was magical! Watch this faux Oregon Trail movie trailer courtesy of Mashable; it will bring back some amazing memories!

Social Media News of the Day: July 29, 2010

Update for Facebook Mobile?

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has added the Facebook App onto his new Android phone, according to his profile. If Zuckerberg has genuinely switched over to the Android then he will quickly find out that his own company’s app needs a little (let’s be honest, A LOT) of work. I have to deal with this app and its short-comings on a daily basis.  Android users would like to be able to chat, easily open links and get mobile updates just like our iPhone and Blackberry-using friends! Anyone else frustrated with Facebook on the Droid?

Getting Down to Social Media Business!

Social media has taken heat in the past for being a distraction to employees. I know that at my first job Facebook was banned on our server (bummer).  In reality, social media can increase a company’s productivity and help employees increase their efficiency and effectiveness.

Networking in the 1990s consisted of bars, restaurants, out-of-town conferences and long phone calls. Now companies can save money and time by networking with a simple tweet, Facebook post or a LinkedIn comment. Instead of it taking several after work dinners to build a connection, it can take a few seconds.

Social media collects an enormous amount of data for companies but it doesn’t have to cause information overload. Here at Step Ahead Inc. , we use TweetDeck multiple times daily to monitor client Twitter accounts, find mentions of these clients and to respond to relevant tweets. With only a few minutes I have customized and narrowed down massive amounts of information to just include my specialized needs.

There are several other wonderful ways that social media is boosting work performance; check out this article from Mashable to learn more!

Social Media News of the Day: July 28, 2010

YouTube Done Right!

At this point everyone has seen and fallen in love with the Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign. For anyone who’s not had the pleasure of seeing this become the archetype for social media campaigns, here’s a blog I wrote a few weeks ago to get you up to date! Old Spice is now seeing the fruits of their labor with sales doubling. Congrats Old Spice and Isaiah Mustafa (the Old Spice guy)!

We Will Always Remember @IvyBean104

The oldest tweeter, Mrs. Ivy Bean of England, passed away last night. Mrs. Bean (isn’t she cute?!) had 56,000 followers on Twitter and was an active Facebook member, as well. What she taught us at Step Ahead Inc. is that social media can be accessed and used by all ages, all over the world, and that in itself is a very powerful thing! Ivy, we will miss you and I will forever use you as my example when friends say “I don’t get twitter, it’s hard to use!”

Move Over Brangenlia, The New “It” Couple is Amazbook!

This is what the headlines would read if this blog was on OK! Magazine or People! Amazon and Facebook are partnering up to provide their customers with the most customized experience. You can link your Facebook account with your Amazon account, allowing the site to give you recommendations based on your interests and recent activity.

*** I would like to state that I do not read trashy magazines regularly but, come on, it’s beach season, people!

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