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Design, Music, Social Media, Travel Logs, Politics and all points in between – tapping out the signal from Central NY
Posted on November 24, 2009 by MillerNo Comments
November 24, 2009
Tags: google reader shared items
Filed Under: Things I Like
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.
Tags: facebook, Logins, TinyChat, twitter
Filed Under: Strictly Business
Posted on November 17, 2009 by MillerNo Comments
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Tags: google reader shared items
Filed Under: Things I Like
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.
Tags: caskets, retail, wal-mart
Filed Under: Strictly Business
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!
Tags: blogs, elevator pitch, good reads, recommended reading, social media
Filed Under: Strictly Business
Posted on November 10, 2009 by MillerNo Comments
November 3, 2009
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Tags: google reader shared items
Filed Under: Things I Like
Posted on November 5, 2009 by MillerNo Comments
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of PopTech. Really. I’ve been a huuuuuuuuuuge fan of the TED conference (someday I hope to actually attend) because the videos and concepts are consistently inspiring and change the way I think about a lot of different issues in tech and politics. But mostly they just amaze me with how smart and creative some people are.
So, PopTech. Again, very similar to TED but I’ve also really dug the talks and am super happy that they’ve been posted online. Here is an embed of Jonathan Harris (who I first saw via TED) talking about web stories and how technology and data has changed the way we’re able to tell them. You’ll be amazed, I promise. It’s an updated version of the talk he gave at TED but I still wanted to share. More PopTech talks will be embedded here for sure as I weed through them all.
Tags: jonathan harris video, poptech, signs of cool, TED
Filed Under: Things I Like
Posted on November 4, 2009 by MillerNo Comments
image by Joe Penniston
A friend of mine e-mailed me the other day who is interested in shifting careers into something that is more marketing-oriented and she recognized that she needs to get involved and understand Social Media to be a contender in the job market out there. She asked for a quick primer on what to do after you’ve started setting up your accounts. That seems to be a question that tons of people have.
“I’ve got a Twitter Account and a Facebook Account…NOW WHAT?” So this will be a two part blog. By NO MEANS is this meant to be a manifesto on Social Media (you want a manifesto? Pick up a copy of Trust Agents. Instead, it’s more like if I only had 5 minutes to explain how to really engage and participate in Social Media – what would I tell you? Here’s part 1
Materials? Glad you asked. Get a FB account, (check), Twitter Account, LinkedIn account, Google Account,and we’ll use Google Reader to aggregate all these news feeds into one place and it will update automatically so you don’t need to keep jumping around the web.
But before I get to the reading list here are a few best practices that I really believe in.
1 – Get a blog. Pick a Topic and write. Even if it’s something as simple as a Posterous or WordPress account. Having a blog is kind of like home base for showing your chops. I think if you’re looking for a job that involves higher ed admissions (just for an example), one of the biggest assets you can have in an interview is to be able to point to your blog that you’ve been keeping for a year where you’re writing weekly or bi-weekly on that topic, lending expertise and becoming an expert. It shows you’re eating sleeping and breathing this stuff. Even if that blog is based around commenting on articles from other people’s blogs or publications (linking to them of course). It ill help you network and find your writing voice which is important in any job that involves marketing.
2 – Comment. Find other blogs about the areas you’re excited about. If you can add useful info into to a post or have a question – leave a comment (with a link back to your blog or twitter account). You’ll be surprised at how fast you’ll build a network and become part of those online communities.
3 – Twitter Search is your Friend. Hit up search.twitter.com and type in keywords for your topic of choice. You’ll get real-time results and see what people are saying about ‘admissions’ or ‘online marketing’ (though that’ll probably involve lots of junk), ‘dog grooming’ or ‘jet engines.’ You’ll have to weed through the crap but you’ll find some great stuff there. Follow these people and again, if you can add something to their conversation or a helpful link, don’t be afraid to engage with them.
4 – Promote Others. Chris Brogan has a rule that you should promote other people’s blogs 10x as much as your own. It’s a good rule. You learn more, you help people, and you’ll make friends faster than just posting out stuff that you’re writing (I’m guilty of not following this rule as much as I should… It’s something I’ll always be working on)
5 – Leverage LinkedIn. Definitely try to grow your LinkedIn network. Join groups, answer and ask questions, complete your profile, and dont’ be afraid of connecting with people who are the big dogs in your industry. You’ll find that many of them are very willing to talk or lend advice. If possible, use the ‘get introduced’ feature. It’s more personal.
Appendix 1: I wrote a post a while back called “10 Ways to Be Useful on Twitter” – You may find that helpful as well.
TOMORROW- Part II: 10 Recommended Blogs from awesome peeps that care and who will help you engage in the Social Media sphere.
Tags: 5 steps, beginners, elevator pitch, intro, social media
Filed Under: Strictly Business
