Archive for November, 2009

Shared Items - November 24, 2009

Posted on November 24, 2009 by MillerNo Comments

    Best articles, photos, and general signs of cool from my Google Reader Feeds
  • Polaroid Composites

    • November 24, 2009

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How Facebook and Twitter are Becoming Online Passports

Posted on November 18, 2009 by Miller7 Comments

I got a chance to check out a service called TinyChat this past week. It’s a very cool platform that lets you build disposable chat rooms for events or meetings but also integrates up to 6 live video streams via webcam where you can have your presenter essentially streaming out the content while the audience can participate via chat (similar to Ustream - which also is a damn great service).  And I got to log in with my Twitter credentials.

Then came news that LinkedIn was linking up with Twitter (or was Twitter linking up with LinkedIn?) and it got me thinking…. While we’re still seeing an explosion in social platforms and tools that people use to connect, we’re also seeing consolidation.

More and more platforms are using the robust APIs from Twitter and Facebook to let users log into and use services with their Facebook or Twitter IDs. I know Google is doing this to a lesser extent as well but mostly with companies they’ve bought or services they’re starting.

The point is… I think that FB and Twitter are positioning themselves for the long term not just in their own platforms, but by using their accounts as a sort of ‘passport’ that’s accepted throughout the different social media sphere. They’re becoming the big daddies of social data (read: my information) in much the same way Google has become the big name in search data.  And I think that platforms which make it easier on their users to connect (without having to create yet ANOTHER username / password / secret question / demographic form) are the ones that are going to have a leg up because it’s a lower barrier of entry for me to participate.

What do you guys think? Are you more likely to use 3rd party services that let you connect with existing credentials or doesn’t it matter? On the flip side, does the centralization of your social data bother you? Leave a comment and let’s chat.

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Shared Items - November 17, 2009

Posted on November 17, 2009 by MillerNo Comments

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Wal-Mart: With deals from cradle to the grave

Posted on November 11, 2009 by MillerNo Comments

I read some articles today about retail giant Wal-Mart selling discount caskets. Great. Now I can buy food that kills me quicker, ammunition, and even a casket (well, I’d have to order the casket online at wal-mart.com) all under one giant, suburban roof.

Seems like they’ve gone after so many industries that used to be locally owned (grocery stores, salons, eye care, pharmacies) and now are competing to a certain degree with your neighborhood funeral parlor (at least they’re not offering to do the services in the furniture department).

I was thinking about how funeral homes and service providers will react and am wondering if what we’ll see is an offshoot of the banquet industry. No outside food or supplies allowed. Just like how I can’t rent a banquet hall and cater it myself (in most cases), I wonder if funeral homes will adopt a policy that will not allow outside equipment caskets. It’s morbid, I know but it’s probably a very real concern for funeral homes.  Or is it?  Has anyone had any experience with this or if you’re in that industry, has the availability of discount caskets affected business?

Just curious.

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The Social Media Elevator Pitch Pt 2: Recommended Reading

Posted on November 10, 2009 by MillerNo Comments

Hopefully Pt 1. of my Social Media Elevator Pitch was useful to you guys. Now, on to part 2.  Here are 9 blogs that I check out daily that get me excited and teach me something new every day about online marketing, business, and how it works (or doesn’t) with Social Media.  There are hundreds of great reads out there, but I wanted to focus on a few names that provide digestible, actionable content and also say thanks. These are people who have taken the time to care, to answer my questions and who have engaged with me as a newbie.

Don’t stop here. Ask around. Remember this is an elevator pitch. What are YOUR favorite sites for Social Media and blogging content? I wan to know. Please list them in the comments.

Recommended Reading (put these in your Google Reader):

Chris Brogan - www.chrisbrogan.com - One of the best resources for people who are participating and getting into social media. Tons of great posts, usually daily. Chris is super-accessible and lives for connecting people

Seth’s Blog - www.sethgodin.typepad.com - Seth is probably the smartest marketer I’ve ever heard. Period. Great bite-sized content everyday.

Gary Vaynerchuk - www.garyvaynerchuk.com -While I’m a huge fan of WineLibrary, Gary’s personal blog has some great info on business, Social Media and building your personal brand.

The Marketess - www.themarketess.com - Posts that are quick and to the point about marketing, social media and what it means for business. Written by the awesome KristaNeher.

The Viral Garden - www.moblogsmoproblems.blogspot.com - Mack is always insightful when it comes to online marketing and has a lot of good how-to posts or ‘5 Steps To…’ posts.

PR Squared - www.todddefren.com - Todd Defren comes to social from more of an agency perspective but has been a great resource for me as I learn how businesses and organizations should be using Social Media.

Social Media Land - www.socialmedialand.net - Katie V provides some great insights on different SM tools and case studies to back up what she’s saying. She works for a kick-ass agency in AZ as a content manager and SM guru.

Beth’s Blog - www.beth.typepad.com - Beth is one of the best bloggers around when it comes to harnessing the power of online marketing and Social Media for non-profits.

Mashable - www.mashable.com - Great news site on all things tech and social. Consistently well-written articles that mix the latest news with some blog worthy and offbeat stories from around the web.

That’s just a handful of the blogs I check out daily. But the peeps above continuously put out great content, are accessible, and in my opinion have some of the best blogs out on the net. I know I’m missing a ton, but that will have to wait for another post. Maybe I’ll make a Best Blog series. So tell me, what does YOUR daily reading consist of? Leave a comment below!

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Shared Items - November 10, 2009

Posted on November 10, 2009 by MillerNo Comments

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