5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 7-21-12

Marketing Technology 5

Marketing Technology Stories you might have missed

MT5 Edition: #46

Stories This Week: Foursquare gets pushy, Google+ usage and user satisfaction rises, Facebook ad rates jump, the Facebook Want button debate and social media spending.

1. Foursquare: Check In With Favorite Businesses, Even When You’re Checked Out

[FastCompany] The new feature let businesses push specials to you when you’re nearby without making you feel like you’re getting spammed.

My Take: The fine line between creepy and and charming is as grey as the hair on my head *sigh*.

But Foursquare is putting users in control by focusing on the brands/venues that users frequent. Ultimately this will work because Foursquare is providing a valuable service to users AND because they’re providing a social-based customer loyalty program for businesses.

Social Media Customer Satisfaction

Social Media Customer Satisfaction

2. Google+ Usage Jumps & People Like It Better Than Facebook

[TheVerge] Google+ reportedly saw 43 percent jump in US visitors during June

[cnet] Facebook users not as satisfied as Google+ users

My Take: Well, a big increase on a small number is still a small number. That said, Google+ has good features, a relatively good security/privacy model and they don’t push a ton of ads – why wouldn’t users enjoy the experience?

3. Facebook ad rates surge 58 percent, leaves Twitter in the dust

[cnet] Facebook’s average cost per thousand impressions has increased by 58 percent in the second quarter of 2012 compared with the year-ago period, meaning Facebook is earning more and more from its ads.

My Take: Amazing to see that Facebook’s mobile ads have a click through rate over 1%, over 4 times Twitters mobile ad click through rate. It shows how effective Facebooks targeting is and how important local, mobile search is to social network services.

In related news, Twitter announced targeted ads.

4. Facebook’s Want Button

A & G’s SchneiderMike & Charlie Hale review and debate Facebooks planned “Want” button.

http://youtu.be/sWw1xCXQmYQ

5. What Are Marketers Spending on Social Media?

[eMarketer] When it comes to how much money to spend on social media, most marketers have less than 20% of their marketing budget set aside for outreach on social sites—including advertising and maintaining a social media presence.

My Take: If you compare these numbers against the number of Marketers who measure return on their investment in social media you’ll see that many continue to invest in social media without tangible business results

 

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5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 7-14-12

Marketing Technology 5

Marketing Technology Stories you might have missed

MT5 Edition: #45

Stories This Week: Amazon aims to become retail, Google+ redefines +1, Facebook’s creepy goes to 11, a new LinkedIn design and Marketers shun Facebook.

Back after a week off. Hope your fourth of July was a blast.

1. How Amazon’s ambitious new push for same-day delivery will destroy local retail

[Slate] The story of why Amazon stopped fighting taxes and decided to play for keeps is crazy interesting.

My Take: This is ambitious.  This is huge.  Amazon is looking to become retail. First they stole business from retailers. Then, through their app, Amazon provided consumers with the ability to “showroom” (check prices and reviews) until retailers started revolting. Now, through the ability to set up same day delivery, Amazon is looking to fully displace Walmart and Target. Personally, I love Amazon (especially Amazon Prime) and for people like me being able to shop without having to enter a store AND still get the satisfaction of having goods immediately.  Yes…I want that.

2. Launching Google +1 Recommendations Across the Web

[Google] Google +1 recommendations can now be viewed within a site such that you can know if your friends liked a product or page on a site.

My Take: Google+ just reinvented the Facebook >Like<.  Congrats. Welcome to the 2009 party.  As Google+ increases it’s functionality, I continue to use it. The fact that “+1’ing” a page actually has relevance, beyond search, shows that Google is still figuring out how to fully execute their social platform. 

3. Facebook Considers Mobile Ads That Know What You’re Doing

[MIT] Last week Google announced “Google Now” and attempt to provide assistance and context based on what it knows about you (because you use their free services).  Facebook, in an apparent move to ‘one up’ Google is looking to do something similar but it’s focusing on serving Ads.

Golden Girls WTF Award

Golden Girls WTF Award

My Take: I’m giving this the Golden Girls WTF Award.  —–>

Really? The microphone is going to listen to what’s going on around me?  How much fun will we have hacking/making fun of that feature.  Way to go Facebook.  Just in case anyone forgot how much you disregard your users – you come up with a fantastic way to remind us how much you hate us.

4. LinkedIn Is Gearing Up For A Redesign

[TechCrunch] LinkedIn will soon be rolling out minor updates to their site.

My Take: It seems LinkedIn is trying to get more Facebook-y. The real story is how LinkedIn dropped it’s integration with Twitter.  All social network services are drawing lines in the sand because they are looking to further monetize their services and they perceive a need to wall off functionality to force users to visit their websites so users can view the ads. More impressions + more clicks = more revenue.

Examples:

  • As stated: LinkedIn drops Twitter integration
  • Google+ retains tight controls over API integration with other social apps
  • Twitter buying Tweetdeck and…. aren’t they taking steps to reduce API integration? (the facts escape me)

5. Marketers Lessen Focus on Facebook Compared to Rest of Web

Facebook vs. Rest Of Internet

Facebook vs. Rest Of Internet

[eMarketer] Marketers are drawing down emphasis on Facebook, increasing budgets and time spent attending to the rest of the web.

My Take: Honestly. I don’t get this.  I would understand if Marketers were shying away from Facebook Ad spending – the way GM did. But this is about time spent on Facebook.  

Interestingly, Marketers are spending more time on relatively niche sites like Tumbler and Pinterest.  Your thoughts are welcomed in the comments.
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Well enough of the geek stuff, are you ready to Break  Badly?

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5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 6-30-12

Marketing Technology 5

Marketing Technology Stories you might have missed

MT5 Edition: #44

Stories This Week: It’s all Google this week. So much news out of the I/O conference that I had to do dedicate all 5 stories to Google news.

1. You Will Want Google Goggles

[MIT] Article makes a case for why people might actually want to wear augmented reality glasses and wearable computers.

My Take: I chose this story because it came out in advance of Google fantastic sky diving demonstration.  I’m of two minds on wearable computers.  The seem ahead of their time, but if done right they could have a huge impact on our lives.  The example that comes to my mind is mountain biking. Normally I need to stop and check the trail map to decide which direction to turn. Imagine getting turn by turn directions projected into your glasses helping you keep going without stopping.  Point is, will these ever become something more than a geeky fascination?

2. Google+ gets new History API for third-party app and site integration

[TheVerge] Google is continuing to open up to integrate with other platforms.

My Take: If you’re a faithful reader, you know my main criticism of Google+ is that it was too closed off. Too hard to share content to from other apps through normal sharing functions.  Recently Google+ announced integration with flipboard. This week it announced in the ability to share, or perhaps better said import, activity from Twitter and Facebook to Google+. It’s a step in the right direction.

3. Google Now: search based on time and location

[TheVerge] As part of its Android Jelly Bean update, Google has just announced Google Now — a card-based search interface that takes your location and the time into effect to give you more useful information. Google Now works by using your search history, calendar, and location to help make search more relevant.

My Take: Some may call this creepy. I get it. What it really surfaces is how much search companies know about you. I guess you could look at this in a different light, now you can use the information for your benefit.

4. Facebook Does More To Make Google Plus Viable Than Google Ever Could

[BundlePost] This story points out that Facebooks continued abuse of user privacy is the only thing making Google+ attractive.

My Take: I included this story because it’s a realistic view of where Google+ is. Beyond the hype, Google+ is largely ignored – even by early adopters.  Although I’m spending more time there. It’s still a great social networking platform.

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5. 6 Features That Make Android Jelly Bean Better Than iOS, Windows Phone and Blackberry

[ReadWriteWeb] Better than Apple? That’s a bold claim. Read up on the 6 things.

My Take: My Droid X is about 18 months old and I’m ready for an upgrade. I love Android. I bought the original Droid the week it came out, but it’s just too laggy.  The device has become too unresponsive.

And while the iPhone has continued to innovate, Android hasn’t added any remarkable features.  However, these updates have got me interested.

 

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5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 6-23-12

Marketing Technology 5

Marketing Technology Stories you might have missed

MT5 Edition: #43

Stories This Week: Google+ opens API a smidge, Facebook settles sponsored stories suit, a Microsoft tablet!, LinkedIn targeting, behind the scenes at McDonalds

1. Google+ API Expanding, Flipboard Integration & Flipboard on Android

[FastCompany] [cNet] This is a two-fer.  Google+ is finally starting to open up and allow other apps to publish to it.  In addition, Flipboard is now available to the millions of Android phone users.

My Take: HUGE for several reasons. I may rant here a bit.  Google+ is actually very awesome. It’s an attractive app with great features. Don’t believe me? Check it out on your phone, the experience seems significantly better than the Facebook mobile app. The chief problem with Google+ is the only way you can access Google+ is through it’s website or app.  You can’t share an update from your favorite social management system (Hootsuite, Buffer) or via another app (like Instagram). As Google+ opens up to other platforms it makes it easier to use and naturally people are more likely to use it.  Will people leave Facebook for Google+? No, but you may find yourself having different types of conversations with a different network of people. Twitter is the social networking service most likely to lose traffic to Google+.

2. Facebook to give users more control over controversial ads

[cNet] Facebook will give users more control over the advertising tool, which features users’ profile photos and other information in ads for businesses and products the users have “Liked.”

My Take: You saw this coming right? People were not happy with Facebook monetizing their “Likes” without their permission.  See Facebook? This is why people don’t trust you; you continually are trying to pull one over on your users.

3. Microsoft’s Surprises With A Tablet Announcement

[Engadget] Microsoft announced it’s developing a 10″ tablet with a built in keyboard.

My Take: Light on details but the hardware seemed intriguing. Take a wait and see on this.  My favorite response to the question “how did Microsoft keep this a secret?” Easy, no one wanted to know.

4. LinkedIn Adds New Targeting Options

[AdWeek] Last October LinkedIn announced marketers would be able to post status updates to their company pages. Now the business-minded social network is adding the ability for marketers to pinpoint those posts at specific groups of followers.

My Take: I’m not sure what we’re talking about here…Is it Ads, email or impressions on the LinkedIn website?

5. Behind the scenes at a McDonald’s photo shoot

I included this story because it’s great social content. I don’t generally eat fast food but I’ve heard the complaint that the food you get looks nothing like what you see in the commercials.  Looks like McDonalds heard that complaint too and decided to tell their own side of the story. Caveat, you can bet that every aspect of this was staged despite the “man on the street” style.

BONUS: Get Your Instagram Photos Out of the Cloud and Onto Something Awesome

[Gizmodo] Turn your Instagram photos into an iPhone case, stickers, t-shirts, etc.

My Take: I recently read this story on how the culture on Instagram is different, more private and therefore more open than Facebook.  I thought folks might want to know how to bring their filtered photos into the physical world. 

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5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 6-16-12

Marketing Technology 5

Marketing Technology Stories you might have missed

MT5 Edition: #42

Stories This Week: Beginners Guide to Social, amazing Civ II game, top content tactics, fewer Zynga players and Microsoft buys Yammer.

1. The Beginner’s Guide to Social Media

[Mashable] Simple guides to Tumblr, LinkedIn, Reddit, Facebook and Twitter. Maybe they are useful to you or to someone you know.

My Take: I read the Reddit guide and learned about its quirky customs.

2. Man plays Civ II for 10 Years

[Reddit] Reaching the year 4,000 AD, the world is a nuclear holocaust as people of the world suffer a war that has gone on for 1,700 years.

My Take: I had to include this story in this weeks post. While I’m not much of a gamer, but Civ II is a great PC strategy game that I spent countless hours playing.  This story got picked up because it seemed somewhat prophetic, when in reality the game is supposed to end around the year 2,000.  I liked how commenters gave the player some ideas on how to finally win the game. If you’d like to check the game out, or a more recent version, I recommend buying the iPad Civ Revolution game.

3. Develop Your Audience With Top Content Marketing Tactics

Top Content Tactics

Top Content Tactics

[MarketingSherpa] A study of 1,745 B2B Marketers indicated that multi-channel communication,

improved thought leadership and segmentation are the three most effective content marketing tactics.

My Take: Well…duh…but there’s more to it.  Picking the best tactics is a good start, but ultimately it comes down to execution.  How well does your content strategy stand out from your competitors? Are you solving customer problems? 

4. Why Zynga is Shedding Users

[CNBC] Cowen and Company issued a report titled “Facebook Gaming in Accelerating User Tailspin,” which highlights the fact that Zynga’s social gaming daily active users declined by 8.2 percent in May.

My Take: The report points to the shift to mobile gaming as the chief reason people aren’t playing “-‘ville” games.  Personally I think there’s a bit of a social stigma associated with Facebooks gaming platform due to the annoying way it posted game updates to the players timeline (so and so needs a cow!).  So my point is, Facebook and Zynga might have structured the social gaming aspect to keep it social, but less irritating.  The larger point is Zynga’s dip eludes to Facebook’s mobile problem – they need a better mobile app.  Recent updates have focused on photos (the Instagram effect) but aren’t really compelling. Although I’m not a big Google+ user, the mobile app is pretty good. It’s fast, attractive and easy to use.

5. Yammer Agrees to Sell Itself to Microsoft

[WSJ] Business-software company Yammer Inc. agreed to sell itself to Microsoft for $1.2 billion.

My Take: This buy plugs holes in Microsoft’s cloud Office productivity suite and adds social capabilities to their arsenal.  How will Microsoft integrate Yammer with Sharepoint, Office365, Office (desktop) and Skype??? That’s a lot of products (and code) to bring together in a compelling fashion.

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