Facebook Places round-up

August 23rd, 2010

There has been plenty of conversation surrounding Facebook places over the last week. So, to help you access the discussion around Facebook’s latest launch, The Liberate Media team have put together a collection of their favourite posts in this single “round-up” style blog post.

First off here is the official Facebook Places Check in video.

Facebook Places: how it works

How to Use Facebook Places

Facebook Places Launches with Bing’d Out Maps

How To Use Facebook Places For Your Business

Facebook Places vs. Foursquare: Who Has the Business Edge?

Week in review: The fallout over Facebook Places

A Field Guide to Using Facebook Places

Facebook Wants Advertisers To Help Build Out Its Directory of Places

Will Facebook Places revolutionize location-based mobile advertising?

5 Ways B2B Companies Can Use Facebook Places

Do you know of any more fascinating Facebook Places blog posts worth checking out? please let us know in the comments section.

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Crowdsourcing compendium: General resource, case studies, examples and tips

July 20th, 2010

Following on from yesterday’s Location based compendium: The services, resources, Foursquare case studies and stats here’s another helpful compendium this time on ‘Crowdsourcing’ and related topics.

This is how Wikipedia defines crowdsourcing:

Crowdsourcing is the act of outsourcing tasks, traditionally performed by an employee or contractor, to a large group of people or community (a crowd), through an open call.

For example, the public may be invited to develop a new technology, carry out a design task (also known as community-based design and distributed participatory design), refine or carry out the steps of an algorithm, or help capture, systematize or analyse large amounts of data.

The term has become popular with businesses, authors, and journalists as shorthand for the trend of leveraging the mass collaboration enabled by Web 2.0 technologies to achieve business goals. However, both the term and its underlying business models have attracted controversy and criticisms.

General Resource

Online Marketing: How User-Generated Content Can Drive Web 2.0 Online Campaigns

http://www.masternewmedia.org/online_marketing/user-generated-marketing/web20-user-generated-marketing-crowdsourcing-online-marketing-strategy-20070530.htm

Excellent post and a good place to start to get you up to speed with all things related to crowdsourcing.

Top crowdsourcing Websites, Resources, and Companies http://compassioninpolitics.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/top-crowdsourcing-websites-and-resources/

Nice resource post over viewing some  guides, applications, platforms and tools available to help you find out more about crowdsourcing.

BEST PRACTICE: Crowdsourcing in B2B http://www.b2bm.biz/Features/BEST-PRACTICE-Crowdsourcing-in-B2B/

Some helpful tips for B2B marketers.

Crowdsourcing Mindmap

Crowdsourcing

Case studies

Case Study: Crowdsourcing exhibitions http://www.museumsassociation.org/museum-practice/creating-engaging-displays/15072010-createdemocracy

An experiment to curate a gallery via the democracy of the general public.

Myoo Uses Crowdsourcing for Sustainability Solutions http://www.fastcompany.com/1662684/myoo-create-crowdsources-sustainable-solutions-for-companies

Examples from Myoo Create, a new company that works with brands to launching sustainability-focused crowdsourcing challenges that engage consumers and spur innovation.

How Air New Zealand uses crowdsourcing and social media for a new in-flight experience

http://www.socialemailmarketing.eu/2010/05/air-new-zealands-aviation-design-academy-a-crowd-sourcing-initiative.html

How Air New Zealand is using social media and crowdsourcing to engage people in a creative way.

Case Study: Best Buy Uses Social Media To Crowdsource Employees http://mattsingley.com/blog/2009/04/best-buy-crowdsources-employees/

Best Buy uses a wiki to crowd source their employees thoughts and ideas.

Crowdsourcing examples

Red Bull X Fighters London - Crowd Sourcing Campaign

10 examples of how crowdsourcing is changing the world.

http://www.thesocialpath.com/2009/05/10-examples-of-crowdsourcing.html

A post highlighting a few clever uses of crowdsourcing, just to show how it’s quickly changing almost every aspect of online commerce, research and even human interaction.

Crowdsourcing Examples http://crowdsourcingexamples.pbworks.com/

An extensive wiki is intended for the benefit of anyone who has ever wished they could see a comprehensive list of examples, either backed by a brand or not, that illustrate the power of crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing example: bmi uses Flickr photos in web design http://www.hotelmarketingstrategies.com/crowdsourcing-example-bmi-uses-flickr-photos/

The BMI website adds user generated content.

YouTube Launches Platform for Crowdsourcing Suggestions http://mashable.com/2010/05/27/youtube-google-moderator/

The use of Google moderator to manage feedback on YouTube.

Crowdsourcing statistics and tips

Some Crowdsourcing Search Stats http://www.thecrowdsourcingblog.com/2010/04/some-crowdsourcing-search-stats/

The use of Google trends to see the impart of the term “crowdsourcing”

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Wanted: Web developer for Pressitt Social Media News Release service

July 19th, 2010

Pressitt the Social Media News Release service is searching for a talented web developer to learn the Pressitt system and help develop the platform further.

If the first project goes well there is plenty more updates/concepts/user feedback to be integrated into the current platform.

The Role: freelance/short term

To develop and improve Pressitt.com on a freelance basis or short term contract, as and when required.

Working closely with our lead developer and front end coder, you’ll be responsible for coding various parts of the site, including bespoke and custom newsrooms from basic php functions within Code Igniter down to in-depth classes.

Built on Codeigniter, Pressitt is a fully featured site with combined client-side and server-side technologies allowing users to create rich and detailed news releases.

Required Skills

• Object Orientated Programming
• Model View Controller/Frameworks
• Linux Systems Administration
• Content Management Systems
• Social Networking (Web)
• Internet usability
• Accessibility (Web)
• Front end coding and javascript

Required Products

• Codeigniter
• PHP
• MySQL
• jQuery
• XHTML/HTML
• CSS
• LAMP
• Wordpress (not essential)
• Zend Eclipse (not essential)

So, if you can deliver on the above, live preferably near London/the South East, are hard working and able to work to strict schedules, please get in touch via email at andy@pressitt.com

We look forward to hearing from you.

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Location based compendium: The services, resources, Foursquare case studies and stats

July 19th, 2010

If you’re a little behind the times and want to understand more about location-based services and related subjects, read on. We have broken this resource down into the following sections; services, general help, case studies,  and to round it off, some helpful statistics and facts.

The Services:

Foursquare: http://foursquare.com/

Foursquare is a location-based social networking website, software for mobile devices, and also a game. Users “check-in” at venues using a mobile website, text message or a device-specific application. They are then awarded points and sometimes “badges.”

Gowalla: http://gowalla.com/

Gowalla is a location-based social networking game created by Alamofire. Users ‘check-in’ at spots in their local vicinity, either through a dedicated mobile application or through the mobile website. As a reward users will sometimes receive items from check-ins. Items have developed to become a promotional tool for the game’s partners

Rummble: http://www.rummble.com/

Rummble is a bit like your social network, but based upon trust (or lack of) in people’s recommendations so you can discover things from thousands of people, not just your friends or immediate trusted connections.

Its the best to Rummble when you’re actually at a place that you love or loath, then you can add a photo and if you want, share it straight away on Twitter, Facebook, Bebo or more.

Google Latitude: http://www.google.com/intl/en_us/latitude/intro.html

Google Latitude lets you see your friend’s location on a map.

Loopt: http://www.loopt.com/

Loopt provides a mobile-based GPS sharing system that allows users to visualize one another using their mobile phones and share information. Loopt also enables users to explore the world around them by connecting users with integrated content from Citysearch, Zagat, Bing, Zvents, Metromix, SonicLiving and others.

In addition to the core features of Loopt, users also have the ability to integrate Loopt with other social networks, including Facebook and Twitter. Loopt also offers a Journal widget that displays a user’s latest updates and photos visually on a map, which they can easily install on their blog or other site.

Whrrl: http://whrrl.com/

Whrrl  is a mobile network that lets you aggregate information as you visit different places. It’s generally like a location review service that’s wrapped up in a map mash-up and a social network.

Brightkite: http://brightkite.com/

Brightkite allows registered users to connect with their existing friends and also meet new people based on the places that they go. Once a user “checks in” at a place, they can post notes and photos to that location and other users can comment on these posts. Users control the privacy of their updates and can choose to share them with their Twitter and Facebook accounts, while also having the option to share their geo-tagged photo posts to Flickr.

Burbn: http://burbn.com/waitlist/

Is a web-based location app where people can share rich media about their whereabouts.

Hot Potato: http://hotpotato.com/

Hot Potato makes it easy to share what you’re doing with friends and connect with others who have similar interests. You and your friends can connect around the question, “What are you doing?” First choose a verb - for example, “I’m attending.” Then select the name of the activity - “I’m attending the Superbowl.” Confirm the activity update, and you’re connected to everyone else attending the Superbowl on Hot Potato. Ask questions, and share your photos and videos.

CauseWorld: http://www.causeworld.com/

CauseWorld is a mobile application that lets you help the world while you shop!

This is the easiest way to give back to your community! Best of all, in these tough economic times, it costs you nothing.

All you need to do is walk into one of the many stores you most likely frequent anyway, such as common groceries, hardware stores, department stores, and many others. Pull out your phone, open the app, and check in. No purchase is required. By checking in, you earn karmas from our sponsors. Donate those karmas for specific actions to improve the world. Some of the many actions in the CauseMall include donating to classrooms in need, planting a tree, providing a meal for the hungry, or helping an injured animal.

Plancast: http://plancast.com/

Plancast is the easiest way for you to share your plans with friends and discover what others are doing in the future. We offer a lightweight way to keep tabs on what people are doing in real life.

MyTown: http://www.booyah.com/

MyTown is a GPS game about buying and owning your favourite local shops, restaurants, and hangouts on your iPhone.

First, Check-in at real-world locations to unlock rewards. Then buy and own your favourite real-life places. During the day, you can collect rent when people Check-in to your shops. The more visitors that come to your stores, the more it raises your properties’ total value.

Foodspotting: http://www.foodspotting.com/

Foodspotters earn recognition for sharing foods they love enabling Foodseekers to find whatever they’re craving and see what’s good wherever they go.

Foodspotting is a visual local guide that lets you find dishes instead of just restaurants. It’s powered by Foodspotters, who can share their food photos and expertise while building a rich collection of foods and where to find them.

Become a Foodspotter by sharing a food that you love! You can post sightings on the website, mobile or email them to food@foodspotting.com!

Fire Eagle: http://fireeagle.yahoo.net/

Fire Eagle is an open platform that helps users take their location to the Web while giving them the ability to easily control how and where their location data is shared.

General Resource:

The Beginner’s Guide To Location-Based Marketing http://www.businessinsider.com/the-beginner-guide-to-location-based-marketing-2010-6

Location-based marketing includes a diverse array of tactics–from simple local advertising to more complex location detection using GPS and triangulation technology, 16 tips to get you started.

9 Killer Tips for Location-Based Marketing http://mashable.com/2010/03/15/location-based-marketing/

9 killer tips to help you get to grips with your marketing efforts around location-based networks and relegated issues by Mashable. First tip; get to know the platforms!

Foursquare vs. Gowalla vs. MyTown: Which Is Better for Business? http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/foursquare-vs-gowalla-vs-mytown-which-is-better-for-business/

The contenders battle it out for title of the best business platform, 3 guesses who comes out on top!

The Widening Gap: Can Gowalla Catch Foursquare? http://thenextweb.com/us/2010/07/12/the-widening-gap-can-gowalla-catch-foursquare/

This post examines if Gowalla can catch Foursquare judging by the partnerships and numbers Foursquare has posted at this moment in time, it’s looking unlikely.

How the Fashion Industry Uses Location-Based Marketing http://mashable.com/2010/03/22/fashion-location-based/

Post on how location based service are used in fashion, including the Marc Jacobs, Foursquare and New York Fashion Week case study.

Location-Based Marketing, Resources and Tools Location-Based Marketing, Resources and Tools

Post by Search Engine Journal outlining the major payers on the location-based scene.

Some Privacy Ground Rules For Location-Based Marketing: Why ‘Geofencing’ Goes Too Far

http://moconews.net/article/419-some-rules-for-location-based-marketing-why-geofencing-goes-too-far/

Matt Silk is the SVP of Waterfall Mobile; a San Francisco-based digital-messaging company goes into detail about the privacy issues surrounding location-based networks.

Foursquare specific:

6 Tips for Getting the Most out of Foursquare http://mashable.com/2009/12/10/fourquare-tips/

Basic post over viewing how to use Foursquare and get the most from it.

Foursquare Mayors Get 25% Off at Ann Taylor http://mashable.com/2010/07/13/ann-taylor-foursquare/

Mashable post on the retailer Ann Taylor using a Foursquare promotion.

Domino’s UK Social Media Initiatives Help Increase Profits by 29% http://mashable.com/2010/07/12/dominos-uk-social-media/

Dominos claims to have used Foursquare to great success and help raise its profits.

History Channel Turns Foursquare Into A Real World Pop-Up Video http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/22/foursquare-history-channel/

Techcrunch post centred on the Foursquare partnership with the History Channel

Case studies:

Chevy Case Study: Using Mobile, Location and QR Codes to Inspire Brand Engagement (Gowalla) http://www.emarketer.com/blog/index.php/chevy-case-study-qr-codes-mobile-location-inspire-brand-engagement/

Gowalla case study based on Chevy using quick research codes and location-based technology.

More than 20 unique “Location Based” case studies from Foursquare, Gowalla, Whrrl, and MyTown http://blog.makeastartup.com/more-then-20-unique-location-based-case-studi

Great resource full of location-based case studies from a variety of platforms.

Gowalla x Nets Case Study: Underdogs Teamed Up on Geomarketing Campaign with ROI http://www.mobilebehavior.com/2010/04/22/gowalla-x-nets-case-study/

Small case study on the use of Gowalla with the basketball team the NY Nets.

How to use Foursquare to draw a crowd into a restaurant http://blog.steffanantonas.com/case-study-how-to-use-foursquare-to-draw-a-crowd-into-your-restaurant.htm

Another case study showing the power of drawing a crowd to a local restaurant via the use of Foursquare.

Statistics and Facts:

Location Based Services are Up and Running, Statistics Prove (April 30^th 2010) http://stasgeomarketing.wordpress.com/2010/04/30/location-based-services-are-up-and-running-statistics-prove/

Brief post outlining the facts from the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) in which one in four U.S. adults use mobile location-based services.

7.5 Foursquare facts you need to know http://prashantpatel.com/social-media/75-foursquare-facts.html

Some brief Foursquare facts from back in April 2010

Foursquare v Gowalla [FACTS] http://www.socialmedianews.com.au/foursquare-v-gowalla-facts/

More up to date facts focusing on the two major players Foursquare and Gowalla

Foursquare Is Five Times Larger Than Gowalla And Growing 75 Percent Faster Every Day

http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/07/foursquare-gowalla-stats/

RJ Metrics present data on the manor of Foursquare’s impressive growth vs. that of Gowalla

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Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up (16-07-2010)

July 16th, 2010

Welcome to another instalment of the ‘Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up’.

1. Tweet Beat is a simple Firefox or Chrome add on that automatically brings you recent tweets from whoever (or whatever) is mentioned in the web pages you’re looking at.

2. Ckeditor is a plugin for Wordpress. It’s an open source WYSIWYG editor, with common editing features found on desktop editing applications like Microsoft Word and OpenOffice.

3.Widgia provide free flash widgets for your social profile page, website or blog. Use the ”Get this” button under each widget to grab them in a click.

Below is a game from the gaming widget section.

soccer game by widgia
4. Static 520 (520 pixels is the width of the FB page) is Facebook application/page that can be customised and easily added to your Facebook group, for the price of $19.00 per year.

Check out how easy it is to set it in motion here:

5.Which loads faster is a tool that allows websites to go head to head in terms of speed. According to the site Bing loads faster than Google.

Social Media post of the week: 100 Great Writing Tips from the World’s Top Bloggers

SEO post of the week SEO for YouTube - How to Search Optimize Video for B2B Marketing

More of the same next week.

Check out previous issues of the ‘Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up’

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Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up (08-07-2010)

July 9th, 2010

Welcome to another instalment of the ‘Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up’.

1. Idea Informer is a great tool if you’re looking for feedback or ideas to increase the effectiveness of your website or product. Simply sign up, design your feedback form and add it to your site, the user can then ask for addition/suggestions to your website that can be voted for by other users.

2. PageModo is a fantastic way to spruce up your Facebook fan page. Traditionally you need to know FBML to add a nice looking page to your Facebook group, but PageModo takes away all the hassle leaving you to create a nice looking page without needing any specific coding skills.

3. Startpage UK is basically a load of links, but very helpful links!. The categories on the site cover every imaginable topic, click on one of the links and you’re taken to another page where that category is broken down even further. It doesn’t sound too impressive but go check it out, I’m sure you will be surprised!

4. Is also at. This is a very simple site, but very useful. Isalso.at is a web service that lets you access all of your social sites through a single launching pad. Useful to link to from your Twitter profile.

5. Lime Survey is a free highly customisable downloadable application used to create surveys. It come highly recommended and has one a number of awards.

Social Media post of the week: 4 Proven Steps to Facebook Page Success

SEO post of the week How To Make The Right Keyword Analysis For Your Website

More of the same next week.

Check out previous issues of the ‘Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up’

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Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up (02-07-2010)

July 2nd, 2010

Welcome to another instalment of the ‘Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up’.

1. eType is a fantastic free spell checker that helps you spell as you type. As you type the spell checker pops up with a handy visual box to correct your content.

2. Launchlist is a handy tool that runs through a whole check list of items that are essential for creating a well-rounded website, you can check them off as you go.

3. Historypin is essentially a Google map that you can update with historical images of buildings, roads, basically anything that has changed over the years.

4. Feedingo is a clean, easy and fun Feed reader that saves you time by publishing your online content in one place. You can also import OPML files.

5. Pluggio calls itself a helpful Twitter app and with its multitude of features you can see why. Check out the large amount of feature videos here.

Social Media post of the week:  LinkedIn SuperGuide -Tutorials, Tips and Tools

SEO post of the week: A Comprehensive Guide to Link Building via Blog Commenting | Search Engine Journal

More of the same next week.

Check out previous issues of the ‘Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up’

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Distribution is only the first step for your Social Media News Release!

June 29th, 2010

As you might be aware, Pressitt the Social Media News Release, is co-owned by Liberate Media.

Today I wanted to highlight the fact that the SMNR is not a ‘fire and forget’ tactic. It’s not a newswire either.

The SMNR is useful because it opens up conversation and allow brand owners to engage with online users and vice versa. The conversation shouldn’t end after a few hours, days or weeks.

The beauty of the SMNR concept is that you can keep the conversation alive by re-visiting your SMNR and updating it with fresh content and then re-publishing and re-engaging with your audience. It’s the start of the conversation, not the end of your news.

Ideas to update you Social Media News Release:

• New quotes or updated quotes
• Fan videos/images
• Additional links to other news coverage or user generated content
• Update on the announcement
• New findings/research
• or even just to update your contact details
• Updated product shots
• Expert commentary from other sources

Standard newswires would charge to do this, but Pressitt allows you to make any amount of edits for free.

I hope this small snippet of advice allows you to use the social media news service of your choice more effectively, if you have any further queries, please get in touch.

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Facebook and Twitter facts

June 22nd, 2010

The Next Web has published a post/infographic titled Some facts on Facebook you probably didn’t know- see below. I thought it would also be interesting to combine this with some facts about Twitter.

Here are two of my favourite facts from the below infographics:

Facebook: Women aged 50 and up are the fastest growing demographic.

Twitter: 10-11 pm is the most active hour on Twitter.

Twitter facts

Do you know of any other interesting Twitter or Facebook facts? Let us know via the comments section.

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Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up (18-06-2010)

June 18th, 2010

Welcome to another instalment of the ‘Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up’.

1. Bi.bg is a link shortener which can be added to your tool bar for future ease of shorting any URL.

2. The bookmarklet combiner allows you to add a number of bookmarklets of the same type into a folder to add to your browser. Nice little space saver!

3. Kadaza lists many popular websites in a visual format, covering hundreds of topics like news, careers, and social networking.

4. Endor.se - allows you to reach out to your network for work help or to find a contact with a specific skill.

5. TwitVance is a great Twitter tool with Bit.ly integration that lets you schedule unlimited tweets. You’re able to edit and delete tweets, add multiple twitter accounts as well as connect your Bit.ly account to track your clicks.

Social Media post of the week: 15 more awesome social media infographics

SEO post of the week: 29 Worst Practices & Most Common Failures: SEO Checklist Part I

More of the same next week.

Check out previous issues of the ‘Weekly Social Media sites, tools and posts round-up’

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