Really Chicken Little? The sky is falling?

Okay…first of all don’t freak out!  There’s no issue here with personal privacy! Your personal information is NOT being strewn all about the web like your dirty laundry on wash day.

Google+ cannot litter the Internet with that…only we can.  (Okay, [...]]]>

Really Chicken Little? The sky is falling?

It’s Not The Sky – Honest!

Okay…first of all don’t freak out!  There’s no issue here with personal privacy! Your personal information is NOT being strewn all about the web like your dirty laundry on wash day.

Google+ cannot litter the Internet with that…only we can.  (Okay, well they could…but that’s a post for another day…let’s stay focused here)

For the last two days I’ve had conversations with folks who’ve decided that Google is the new Evil Empire out to trap the unsuspecting web citizen.

This is not the case.

Google’s strategy has always been first and foremost focused on speed of information.  The speed at which,  relevant information results  are delivered to our fingertips.

‘Fast is better than slow’ has been a Google mantra since our early days, and it’s more important now than ever. The Internet is the engine of growth and innovation, so we’re doing everything we can to make sure that it’s more Formula 1 than Soap Box Derby. Speed isn’t just a feature, it’s the feature.

The Google Gospel of Speed, WORDS BY Urs Hoelzle

How Do I Look?

I know you noticed the emphasis I placed on the word relevant.  Search + Your World is about the information that matters to YOU and your circles of influence.  What’s really important to note here is you get the option to choose.

Let’s take a quick look at how the terrifying new search affects my results.  My keyword is simply photos.

1. I can CHOOSE to have the results delivered reflect my preferences, circles of influence, my presence.  It’s important to note here that I MUST be logged into G+ to select this feature.  You’ll note that in the upper right hand corner, the user icon is highlighted.  I can easily just switch back to worldwide results.  Not quite vanilla, but definitely a far less personalized experience.
2. My connections to other talented professionals, artists, thought-leaders and the world at large are positively impacted.  You’ll see that I follow Trey Ratcliff.  He’s an amazing photo journalist…artist!  BTW You have to check out his site www.stuckincustoms.com.  Now I’m introduced to +Lisa Bentanny.  I have an opportunity to review her work…see if I find value in that potential connection.  This is very simliar feature to what Facebook does to me all day.
3. Relevant photos are not just photos of me.  Although I look AMAZING in the SFIMA Photobooth pic with my buddy +Jeff Cohen.  The images delivered are from my friends and  family, my circles. I was delivered a gorgeous virtual photo album of family and friends.

Don’t Be Evil!

Do I think maybe there’s a self-serving motive here?

You Decide.

I invite folks to join the G+ community, do your research, check out the links I ‘ve provided below.  Understand that you have the power to control the privacy settings on any of these communities.  You can be as “out-there” as you like – or not.  It’s important to note that participating on line will bring with it risks, it’s not a mindless endeavor, it actually requires cultivation.  Let’s all take responsibility for our online presence…build one or don’t.  Please make you own informed decisions.

Official Google Blog:http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/search-plus-your-world.html

Extra Extra Read All About It!

In 2005 I jumped into the Social Media sphere with both feet, pinching my nose and just having a blast.  Those of us who were “getting-it” early were like members of a secret club, decoder rings and all.  Each day we would blog [...]]]>

Extra Extra Read All About It!

Hey Check This Out…

In 2005 I jumped into the Social Media sphere with both feet, pinching my nose and just having a blast.  Those of us who were “getting-it” early were like members of a secret club, decoder rings and all.  Each day we would blog our thoughts, opinions or just plain rambling rants.  There were days where, I was linking back to other Blogs to share with my community the excellent tips/tricks or just plain Thought Leadership.  On a really slow or uninspired day, I’d pull together a quick summary of the content I found important with appropriate pics, links, etc.   My summary sharing as well as those of other bloggers was Content Aggregation in it’s simplest form.

In 2006,  Twitter started to gain momentum and I saw the dedication to the Blog decline.  The summary aggregation of content moved to the 140 character “News Flash”.  I wondered if “micro-blogging”  would kill traditional blogging. I became irritated at what appeared to be a “lazy” habit of just “re-tweeting” information.  Now don’t get me wrong here…I am a big believer in Citizen Journalism - when practiced with responsibility.  But to just become a mountainous echo chamber for other people’s thoughts bugs me.

Now there’s a debate over Content Creation vs. Content Curation.  I’m even seeing requirements for this “skill” in Online Community Manager job descriptions.  What I would have referred to as a…”Hey…Check this out” tweet a “micro-blogging” staple is now considered by some a bona fide “skill”.

So as not to appear out of touch with the scene, I’m taking a little time to define Creation, Aggregation and Curation.  All three bring value to the Digital Brand Strategy.

Content Creation

Digital Brand Strategies includes; creation of web based content to include:  

1. Text (Articles, Blog Posts)
2. Video
3. Audio (Podcasts)
4. Animations

Content Aggregation

Have you "Reddit"?

You’ll see Content Aggregation in various forms.  I’ve listed a few below that I participate in or have used.  I recommend searching News Aggregators to pull more examples.

1. Google News Google sees their news aggregator differently than most.  I’m quoting Google Directly here;“Traditionally, news readers first pick a publication and then look for headlines that interest them. We do things a little differently, with the goal of offering our readers more personalized options and a wider variety of perspectives from which to choose. On Google News we offer links to several articles on every story, so you can first decide what subject interests you and then select which publishers’ accounts of each story you’d like to read. Click on the headline that interests you and you’ll go directly to the site which published that story.”
2. Yahoo News/Bing News  both are traditional news aggregators -Search Engine Style – allowing user control over the content delivered.
3. Reddit is unique in that it relies on user contribution as opposed to pulling directly from the Search Engines themselves.  The content shared is either in the form of a link or text.  The Reddit community determines the popularity  or value of the content by rating it “Up” of “Down”.  This is IMO community driven or curated content.
4. Individurls is a fairly new RSS aggre­ga­tion tool that allows you to build a cus­tom col­lec­tion of your favorite sites for uncluttered brows­ing. The site fea­tures a very sim­ple and clean inter­face as well as an iPhone ver­sion.

Content Curation

Mashable’s recent post “Why Content Curation Is Here To Stay” quotes Clay Shirky, author and NYU Professor when definging Content Curation.  I happen to really dig his take on this and Mashable’s post is a great read.

Here Comes Everybody

“Curation comes up when search stops working,” says author and NYU Professor Clay Shirky. But it’s more than a human-powered filter. “Curation comes up when people realize that it isn’t just about information seeking, it’s also about synchronizing a community.”

In my opinion this is the KEY to successful online presence management!  Here’s where we take the creation of all that interesting “stuff” and expand exponentially across the web.  We’re no longer communicating in a vacuum, we’re building community with content.

In a Digital Brand Strategy the biggest mistake made is to expect that great content will “pull” the community.  It does not.  Communities curating content, sharing knowledge, gossip, trivia, jokes, puzzles, trials, tribulations, all of it – that pulls in community.  Content Curation is what sustains and feeds the communities and keeps them engaged.  You know, like “Tell Me More, Tell Me More”!

Here’s a touchy subject…I’m a firm believer that you can’t be afraid to share content that could be perceived as competitive.  Brands that are secure in their product have to be open to feedback, constructive criticism, able to receive the direction needed from those that that own the brand…the customers.  Curating transparently is important for Brand identity.  Don’t be afraid to improve or change based on direction from outside of your fortress.

Final Thoughts

There are those that feel that Content Curation is just plain stealing, or minimizing the efforts of those that create the “original” content.  I personally strive for others to pull my input, contributions to add value in other’s respective communities.   I want my original content to be curated.  I don’t want to be mindlessly chattering into the emptiness.  If you can bring value to your relationships through knowledge sharing, you’re a curator and should be glad you are.

Don’t build out your Digital Brand Strategy leaving out this vital piece of the landscape.  With curation be sure to accurately attribute the content to the original creators.  If your’re uncertain partner with a Strategist.  Map out the appropriate experiences, not just at first launch but on a regular basis.  Bring value to your community and empower them to bring you into theirs.

The Conversation Prism

Hard to believe it used to be fairly simple when developing a Social Media Marketing Strategy.  We had one or two social communities that “really” mattered.  Today however, there are over 300 social networking sites excluding those focused purely on dating.  Now [...]]]>

The Conversation Prism

Hard to believe it used to be fairly simple when developing a Social Media Marketing Strategy.  We had one or two social communities that “really” mattered.  Today however, there are over 300 social networking sites excluding those focused purely on dating.  Now not all of these social networking sites are relevant to a Digital Brand Presence…but it does stop and make you think.

Step One – Audit the noise to determine the tone and sentiment of existing brand conversations.  If you’re not prepared for potential Public Relations nightmares, don’t execute the strategy.

Where do you want to be is the first question that comes into my mind.  Most clients tell me they want the basics, Facebook, Twitter, and maybe LinkedIn for their sales force and oh yeah, the talent acquisition folks (recruiters).   It used to be we had mountainous obstacles to overcome with the ROI challenge.  Now…not so much, because you know…everybody’s doing it.

In the end though…someone in the organization will want to know why you’ve spent $1000s on Social Media Strategies.  What makes the Fans/Followers/Likes/Tweeps so important.  How do you place a value on this?  Well that’s where the Digital Strategist comes into the picture.

A competent Digital Brand Strategist will be prepared to first perform an online reputation audit.  With the completed audit they should present the findings, provide baseline metrics for future measurement strategy as well as a Destination (participation) Roadmap.

Don’t go building out your Social Brand Strategy alone…connect with a trusted Digital Brand Strategist, one that’s competent in both digital marketing and social marketing.

Photosource: Alex Designs

And you might ask…what is WordPress? Well, [...]]]>

Okay…I’m late…I’m late getting a Wordcamp Miami 2010 recap onto the Blog.  It’s funny that it’s taken me so long because I had been sooo looking forward to the day.  I’m a self professed WordPress Geek…and love connecting with others who share similar passions.

Photosource: Alex Designs

And you might ask…what is WordPress? Well, it’s an opensource blog publishing platform…only truly…so much more. More and more sites are being built using WordPress.

One of the best presenters of the day Shayne Sanderson discussed using WordPress CMS to power e commerce sites. So it’s not just about your personal journal log…it’s about business.  And it might be big business…especially if you generate substantial revenue with your site.

Below you’ll find presentations I felt were of real value to me. I’ve also shared links to sites to help those interested in WordPress for the first time.

WordCamp is the name given to a series of community sponsored blogging events centered on discussions relating to the WordPress blogging platform. These events are organized, paid for, and attended by local blogging communities completely independent of official WordPress control and without affiliation with Automattic, the parent company behind WordPress.

The first WordCamp was held in San Francisco in 2006, and each subsequent year has brought growth in the number of events and cities in which it is organized.

Source: Wikipedia 2/2010

Oh…one last thought…if you’ve been thinking about attending a Wordcamp near you…but not quite sure what to expect. Don’t worry…it’s completely worth the time and cost. Ticket prices vary depending on the local venue and community organizing the event.  The Miami WordPress community put on a really great day. Our cost was under $50 and lunch was provided.  So get out there and find an event…connect with some great WordPress geeks…you’ll be glad you did.

Free WordPress Blog

What Is WordPress

5 Things Bloggers Need to Know

As promised…a really great interview…who better than David Manaster, CEO of ERE.net. (www.ere.net)

You might be asking…what is ERE.net…well…they’re a professional affinity community focusing on recruiting and HR news, information — including articles, discussions, blogs, jobs, conferences, research, email publications and much much  more.

I personally find this site to be tremendous [...]]]>

Video Log

As promised…a really great interview…who better than David Manaster, CEO of ERE.net. (www.ere.net)

You might be asking…what is ERE.net…well…they’re a professional affinity community focusing on recruiting and HR news, information — including articles, discussions, blogs, jobs, conferences, research, email publications and much much  more.

I personally find this site to be tremendous for up to the minute Social Recruitment thought leadership.

Thanks David!