Archive for August, 2011
What are the Social Marketing Implications of Google Integrating Offers and Wallet into Google+?
Posted by Francis in Guest Posts, social media on August 29, 2011
Not too many observers were shocked when learning that Google would be integrating many of its existing product with Google+, the social networking platform that has taken the world by storm without even officially being on the market. There has already been talk of integration with the company’s popular webmail client Gmail and advertising program AdWords. More recently, it was revealed that it would be integrating Google Offers and Wallet into the Google+ experience. This article will take a closer look at the move and the potential social marketing implications behind it.
The Revolution of Social E-commerce?
Google Offers and Google Wallet are a part of the search giant’s plan to revolutionize the mobile payment sector. In time, they could be two integral components that help it gain the edge it has been seeking over Facebook. Though individual concepts, Offers and Wallets are already a part of the company’s integrated vision. Google Offers is a daily deal type of offering geared to compete with the likes of Groupon and LivingSocial. This new service lets marketers engage customers with loyalty programs, discounts, and special offers based on their location and preferences. After the success of the initial testing in Portland, Offers was recently launched in New York and San Francisco.
While Google Wallet hasn’t even made it into beta yet, is still generating a lot of hype and discussion. The upcoming service, which is provided via a mobile app, uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to enable consumers to store credit card data on their smartphones and use those devices to make in-store purchases. What it essentially does is transform the user’s mobile device into a universal wallet. According to Stephanie Tilenius, Google’s Vice President of Commerce, Google Wallet already accounts for 25% of transactions made on Android devices, despite being in the early stages of testing.
Incorporating Google Offers and Wallet into the Google+ experience will give the new social outlet two elements all other options lack – daily deals integration and a viable e-commerce platform. The social tool is already doing a fine job of attracting interested users and appealing to brands, but the integration of Offers and Wallet is almost certain to bring the marketers crawling out of the woodwork. Although Facebook has launched its Facebook Deals in select cities, it is far from anything that can be considered a success at this point. With the proper execution, the integration of Google Offer and Wallet could enable Google+ to make an even greater impact, if not beat the social giant to the punch entirely.
More Value in Social Marketing
As social media continues to evolve, so must the marketing strategies designed to take advantage of it. There is no guarantee that Google+ will become a force in the social space, but it already looks to be shaping up as a winner. If the platform does take off, it will likely be one marketers can’t afford to overlook.
E-Commerce with a Conscience
Posted by Daniel Snyder in Site Reviews on August 17, 2011
As readers to this blog now, I’ve often written about green topics, and have strong opinions on integrity and ethics. As a blogger who writes about marketing (Read Green marketing and the art of social entrepreneurship) I found the discovery of ethicalocean.com to be quite inspiring.
What is Ethical Ocean all about?
Ethical Ocean is not your traditional online marketplace. Rather their goal is to increase awareness and the consumption of ethical products (specifically in North America). The concept is simple, transform the market by connecting buyers and sellers through an easily-navigated website that offers every type of ethical product one can imagine. The philosophy at Ethical Ocean is founded on the simple truth that consumer purchasing decisions significantly impact our society (and the world as a whole). The owners of ethicalocean.com believe buyers can consciously choose to craft their buying patterns to have ‘a net positive effect’.
The owners of Ethical Ocean want to educate individuals and help them become more aware of the products they are buying and the impact those purchases may have on others, ourselves and the environment.
Great Concept, but who decides what is “ethical” and what is not?
My first thought upon discovering the site was exactly this, “who decides what products can be sold?”, “what constitutes an ethical product?” Sounds like a possible grey area, and with the crazy world of internet marketing I know there is potential for abuse here. Ethical Ocean responds to this issue by informing us that “YOU DO”. That’s right the average user who will value and interpret ethics differently then others is the one who decides what can and can’t be sold on Ethical Ocean. One such item (which is in my opinion an ethical purchase) is recycled jewelry. They state on their site ‘our intent is not to dictate what is and is not ethical, nor is it to specify which products are more ethical than others; even within our team we have differing opinions on whether products that protect our environment are more important than products that create fair-paying jobs in developing countries’.
Some policies for considering what may or may not be ethical have been taking into consideration and they include,
- information on where the product is made;
- official certifications the product has been awarded;
- additional claims made by the seller on what makes the product ethical;
- a rating system which allows users to evaluate those claims; and
- feedback from members who have purchased the product.
Find them on facebook here, EthicalOcean
Wrapping Up, Would You Shop at Ethical Ocean
What do you think of this concept? With the awareness levels at an all time high for environmental consciousness I suspect an ethical marketplace has the opportunity to be successful. My primary concern is that marketers will abuse and manipulate the site by attempting to sell products that aren’t ethical at all. I’ll be curious to see how the site owners and moderators do at keeping it legit. Your thoughts?
Keep an Eye on Your Home with Smartphone Security Apps
Posted by Sylvia in Guest Posts, Product Reviews, Technology on August 15, 2011
You’re pulling into your office parking lot when suddenly you realize: you forgot to arm your home security system. To make matters worse, the new MacBookPro you just bought is still sitting in its box on top of your desk. You might as well have a put a big red bow around your house for potential burglars targeting your area. But have no fear! There are ways to control your home security system – using your smartphone. Yes, a smartphone isn’t just for listening to music and surfing the Internet; it can actually help you protect your home while you are away.
Here’s how:
Arm your home security system from anywhere
Security systems such as Alarm.Com, Vector Security, and ADT offer smartphone apps to their customers. By using these apps, you would be able to check the status of your home security system anywhere at any time. In addition, homeowners also have the ability to check whether their system is armed or not. If it isn’t, you would be able to activate it right on your smartphone. This functionality will come in handy in the event that your kids forget the passcode or you have to let the neighbor in to walk the dog.
Caught on tape
Smartphone security apps allow you to access live streaming video of your property using your surveillance cameras. You even have the capability to control the cameras so that they pan and tilt, giving you a wider view of your home and property. Keeping an eye on your home while you are away will give you insight into what’s going on when you aren’t there. For example, it’s unlikely that your teenagers will throw a party while you are out for the night if they know you can check up on the house anytime. In addition, these security apps also offer a “history function,” which records events such as what time your cleaning crew arrived and left. If they stayed for 45 minutes when it needed a two-hour cleaning, you’ll know about it.
Up to the minute text alerts
These home security apps will also provide you with important notices such as a sensor that’s not responding. They can send you text alerts if something has tripped your alarm, and if the police have been notified. In addition, if you’ve installed monitors and alarms for smoke, fire, or even flooding, you can receive alerts when these are tripped as well. These alerts will set your mind at ease not only while you’re out grocery shopping, but also when you’re on vacation.
A home security system will keep your family and home safe. However, a smartphone security app will work hand-in-hand with your system to keep you informed. This will give you the peace of mind you deserve when you’re away.
A Thousand Dollars For Blogging Your Heart Out
Posted by Daniel Snyder in Blogging on August 8, 2011
The average blogger is always eager for a few things; more readers, more traffic, and more cash. Though I’m the first to point out that blogging is generally not a lucrative income nor does it produce a huge return on your time invested it can be fun, and memorable, as well as providing a way to share your thoughts with those who may care to listen. Now there’s a sweet opportunity for you to put your blogging skills to the test and earn yourself up to $1000 US just for blogging.
I’m talking about the Blog Engage 1000 USD Best Guest Blogger of 2011 Contest, and it’s simply NOT too late to enter. It’s early August 2011 and you have plenty of time to compose yourself a few guest articles (or maybe only one is all you need) and submit them to Blog Engage.
An Example of Winning Content
There are secrets to winning a contest like this, and though writing is a massive part of it, it is not the only component. Your ability to promote and engage others in social media networks is going to be key to winning this contest. Blog Engage has run numerous monthly contests and continues to do so, this article below placed first in one of their earlier contests in 2011. Take a look at it and put your social networking skills to the test by giving it a practice run with your promotional skills.
Here’s how you go about it, first click on the #winning article here Are You a Genuine Blogger or a Faker?, then tweet it, share it on facebook, spread it on google+, tweet it again, comment on it, and then drop the bookmark on your favorite social bookmarking site like delicious, digg or olddogg. (If you’re not sure where to find all these sites take a look at this popular article about the top social networking sites for bloggers)
How To Enter
There are a few critical and important guidelines you must follow in order to be properly entered and qualify for the 1000 USD. Rather then repeating all the rules here, I’m simply going to direct you to the contest details at the following link Blog Engage 1000 USD Best Guest Blogger of 2011 Contest.
Once you’ve got an account, written some articles, and created a sponsorship post on your own blog you’ll want to know the details on getting your article(s) to be noticed. Brian, the founder of Blog Engage (A little research on him can be dug up in this interview) will be taking everything you do with your guest articles throughout all of 2011 with regards to the social promotion (tweets, engages, linkedin votes, comments etc.) those totals will correlate to who wins the $1000!
The Sponsors
Contests like this wouldn’t be possible without amazing sponsors who put up the cash! Please take a moment to appreciate and perhaps visit them.
Creating a Portfolio Website
Posted by ThomasStone in Guest Posts, Other on August 2, 2011
Portfolio websites can be a great way to show your work off to potential employers. Some are just a resumé, but others include a variety of things. People with IT degrees can include photos of websites they’ve built and lists of systems they’ve worked on. They may even include an example of a problem they encountered and how they went about fixing it. Artists can create beautiful pages displaying their art work and how they made them.
A portfolio site is basically just a site with your professional work on it. The Following is a step by step process of how to create your own portfolio website.
1. You’ll want decide what you want to be and organize your information accordingly. If you want to be a graphic designer, include all relevant work pertaining to the position. Organize all your relevant information and get it ready to post on your page.
2. There are three options to choose from when creating a portfolio: blog, website or simple portfolio. A blog is free (unless you purchase a domain) and you can post just about anything on there from pictures to written material. A website costs a monthly fee but it isn’t restricted to one page. The simple portfolio also has a monthly fee but is typically simpler than a website and is usually restricted to one page.
3. Once you have decided which type you of site you want, you can begin designing. There are many website creating tools out there on the web including web.com and godaddy.com. If you are computer language savvy, you may be able to create your own template.
4. Don’t forget to include a pitch for yourself. Why should an employer hire you? Besides looking at your work, they don’t know a whole lot about you. You’ll need to be able to market yourself if you want to get hired.
5. Other than creating a personal pitch for yourself, you should definitely include an about page and a contact page. The about will allow employers to learn more about you and your character. You do not need to go too in depth and personal, but give the employers a reason to come back to your portfolio. The contact page will allow them to get in touch for that second date.
6. Place all of your relevant projects and information on the site. The potentials are going to want to see your work before they give you an official interview. Make sure you use your best work and describe how you created each piece. It will give the employer a better view of who you are.
7. An employer can’t find your portfolio without traffic. Traffic is good; it means people are coming to your site. Give people a reason to come by. Start a blog. Give tutorials on how you created your work. And keep updating and adding to your site more and more awesome projects showing employers why they should employ you.
Voila, you have a strong portfolio site that employers can find and of course contact you.
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